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BRIEF 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP, 



FROM 1764 TO OCTOBER 1855. 



v-/ 



BY DAVID THURSTON. 



" Call to remembrance tlie former d'xjB.^'— Bible. 



♦ I 



PORTLAND: 
BROWN THURSTON, STEAM PRINTER. 
1855. 



Extract from the Records of the Town of Winthrop : — 

Voted, That Rev. David Thurston be invited to write 
and publish a history of the Town of Winthrop. 
A true copy. 

Attest : J. M. BENJAMIN, Toivn Clerk. 



Winthrop, Sept. 23, 1854. 
Dear Sir : At a town meeting holden this day, the vote 
above written was unanimously passed. 
Very truly yours, 

J. M. BENJAMIN. 



PREFACE. 



It is somewhat difficult to account for the fact, that no record 
of any meeting, or any transaction of the inhabitants, while they 
continued a plantation, can be found. Considerable research has 
been made, but it has proved wholly misuccessful. 

The writer exceedingly regrets, that this work had not been 
commenced twenty years ago. Doubtless many thrilling incidents^ 
of early times might have been saved, which are now irrecovera- 
bly lost. Had the -writer anticipated that such a labor would de- 
volved upon him, he might have accumulated a fund of informa- 
tion, from which a more accurate, copious and valuable history 
might have been compiled. But no regrets will avail to call back 
the departed individuals, who might furnish interesting matter for 
a book, or bring to light the needed facts. Some pains have been 
taken, by conversing mth some of the oldest descendants of the 
first settlers, and written communications from others, to obtain 
what, not only might be curious, but interesting and profitable. 
But the hope, in relation to this matter, has, by no means, been 
fully realized. 

It is scarcely to be expected that, in transcribing so many names 
and dates, no mistakes should occur. I have given orthography 
to some words and names different from the toTMi records. 
Whether the change has always been more correct than the orig- 
inal the reader must decide. For instance, where I found "Life 



Vii PREFACE. 

Foster," I have written Eliphalet Foster. For " TiCar Eveiy," 1 
have Avritten Leah Avery ; for "Sessors," Assessors j for "West 
Enda-rum," West Lidia, &c. 

Some may suppose the pains taken to collect such a catalogue 
of names was useless. However, the labor has been taken, and 
no small amount did it cost. But I have not disregarded the ad- 
\ice of Paul to Timothy ; for I have not "given heed to fables," 
nor "endless genealogies," for mine end "in 1800," and sometimes 
in the middle of a family. Some may be disappointed in not find- 
ing the facts agree with their tradition ; and others, perhaj>s, will 
be as much disappointed in not finding their ancestors' names at 
all. But as far as the records and reliable tradition have given 
them, they have been faithfully copied. 

the compiler tenders his very grateful acknowledgements to all 
those who have generously aided him by giving dates, names, or 
fiicts to be introduced into the work. He would make particular 
mention, among these, of Mrs. Metcalf the aged, Dea. Carr, Mr. 
J. M. Benjamin, the Town Clerk, Mr. Joseph Pope, Hon. S. P. 
Benson, Mr. JohnE. Brainerd, Samuel Wood, Esq., J. B. Fille- 
brown, Esq., and Mr. James Stevens. 

The work has been prosecuted under some disadvantageie. Pos- 
sibly had more time been exclusively devoted to its preparation, 
it might have been better. Regretting that it is not more worthy 
of the subject upon which it treats, it is respectfully submitted to 
all such as feel an interest in the history of Winthrop. 

DAVH) THURSTON. 



Corrections, p. 15, last line, felling for falling — p. 27, near 
bottom, inferior for interior — p. 32, 4006 for 00,00— p. 40, under 
1810, May for Marr. — p. after 1852, Marrow for Morrow. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

FAGE, 

Location, ---------13 

Boundaries, Early Settlers, ------ 14 

Grants of Land, --------16 

Soil and Productions, ----•• 18 

Social Habits, 20 

Scenerj', ---------21 

CHAPTER IJ. 
Other settlers, ---------23 

Chandler's Grant, 24 

Licorporation of the Town, --••-- 25 

First To^Ti Meetmg, 25 

Burying Places, --------26 

Town Meetings, --------27 

Gardiner's Dam, -•---•--28 

Taxes, 30 

Provision for the Poor -------33 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Bounties, 33 

Valuation of Property, ;: - - 33 

CHAPTER in. 

Roads, -34 

Representatives, - - - - - - - -38 

Town Officers, 38 

Moderators, ------ --38 

Town Clerks, 43 

Select Men, 44 

Town Treasures, --------47 

Constables, ---------43 

CHAPTER IV. 

Dinsion of the Town, ------ 52 

Division of the State, -------53 

Against Monopoly, -------56 

Hardships of the Early Settlers, - - - ■>• - 61 

Patriotism, --------69 

Honorable Confession, -------74 

Politics, 77 

CHAPTER V. 

Standard of Weights, -------83 

Pounds, --------.83 

Warning out of Town, - - . - - 84 
Manufactures and Mechanics, - - . - - - 85 
Banks, --- -89 



CONTENTS. 1 

CHAPTER VI. 

Education, ^^ 

Graduates, --------»« 

Doctors, ^^ 

Physicians who have practised in Winthrop, - - 100 
La',vyers5 --------- 104 

Law)^ers who have practised in Winthrop, - - - 105 
Preachers, - - - - - - - - -107 

CHAPTER Vn. 

Ecclesiastiegal History, - - - - - - -110 

Congregationaliste, - - - - - - - HO 

Friends, --»------ 124 

Episcopal Methodists, ------ 125 

Cahinist Baptist Church, ------ 126 

Universalists, .------- 129 

Christian Band, -------- 132 

Freewill Baptists, 132 

Houses for Worsliip, ------- 132 

Ministerial Fund, - - 140 

CHAPTER Vm. 
florals, - - - - . - - - - 143 
AVinthrop Society for the promotion of good iMoixils, - 144 
Temperance, -------- 145 

EiForts made by the To^vn to effect a reformation of Morals, 148 
Temperance Tavern, - - - - - - -151 

Washingtonian Society, - - - - - - 151 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Watercure Establishment, - - - - - -168 

Marriages and Deaths, ------ 169 

Genealogical Register, - - - - - - -172 

Sons of Temperance, - - - - - - -152 

Watchman's Club, 152 

Anti-Slavery, 153 

Society for Mutual Improvement, - - - - I55 

Moral reform Society, ------- 157 

Agricultural Societies,- ------ 153 

Kennebec Agricultural Society, - - - - -159 

Literary Societies, - - - - - -'- 161 

Anderson Institution, - - - - - - -162 

Franklin Society, ------- 165 

Lyceums, --------- 165 



CONTENTS. XI 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE A. 

Deed to Early Settlers, - !20 

NOTE B. 

Act to Incorporate the To-wTi of Wintlirop, - - - 215 

NOTE C. 

Warrant for Tow-n Meetings, 1772, - - - - 219 

NOTE D. 

Namea of the original members of the Congregational 

Church and the Covenant, - • - - - 221 

NOTE E. 

Vote of land, &c., to Rev. Da\id Jewett, - - - 225 

NOTE F. 

An act to Licorporate the Town of Readfield, - - 227 

NOTE G. 

An act to Incorporate the First Congregational Society of 

Winthrop, 230 

NOTE H. 
Account of ordination of Rev. Messrs Belden, Thurston and 
Sawyer, -•--»--- 233 

NOTE I. 

An act to Incorporate the Methodist Society, - ■ 236 



CONTENTS. 

NOTE K. 

Names of the original members of the Baptist Church and 
ordination of Rev. Messrs. Ingraham, Merriam & Powers, 239 

NOTE L. 

Names of the members of the Universalist Chm'ch, - 241 

NOTE M. 
Constitution of Society for the Promotion of good Morals 243 

NOTE N. 
Constitution of Society for Mutual Improvement, - -246 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP, 



CHAPTER I. 

Location — boundaries — early settlers — grants of land — soil 
— timber — productions — scenery. 

Pond Town, as "Winthrop was first called, was includ- 
ed in what has long been known as the " Plymouth 
Grant," or the " Kennebec Purchase." This grant, or 
purchase, comprised fifteen miles east of the Kennebec 
River, and fifteen miles west of the river ; beginning south 
at Merrymeeting Bay, where the Androscoggin enters 
the Kennebec River, and extending up the river to Skow- 
hegan. The south line of Pond Town was five miles 
long — the west line about nine miles — the n'orth line 
seyen miles, "more or less," — the east line had two 
angles and its length is not stated. 

A hunter, by the name of Scott, had visited the ponds 
and streams in Pond Town, for the purpose of obtaining 



14 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

fur, prior to the settlement of any family. Others had al- 
so been in the place for the same purpose. Mr. Scott had 
erected a hut for his shelter, near •the Cobhossee Conte 
great pond, on the land, which the first settler afterwards 
occupied. Mr. Timothy Foster, looking out a place for 
the settlement of his family, met this Mr. Scott at Cob- 
hossee, and bought his cabin &;c., and paid him thirty 
dollars, but took no receipt for it. The creditors of Scott 
hearing he had sold to Mr. Foster, some two years after, 
sued Mr. Foster for the money he had paid to Scott, put 
him in jail about six months and subjected him to other 
expenses. 

EAELT SETTLERS. 

According to the best information I can obtain, Mr. 
Foster came himself in 1764, and brought his wife and 
ten children in 1765. He pitched his tent about eight 
rods from the great pond, on the lot now occupied by 
Mr. Jacob Robbins. Here the first framed building was 
put up, and is now the porch attached to the house where 
Hiram Foster lives. 

The next family which came was Squier Bishop, his 
wife and six children, in the Spring of 1767. They were 
from Rehoboth, Mass. Families by the names of Fos- 
ter, Fairbanks, Stanley and Pullen, came from Attle- 
borough, Mass. Though several kinds of game were 
plenty, the early settlers did not come to be hunters. 
They had other designs and employments. The few in- 
habitants came into the wilderness to provide for their 
families, for whom they felt a lively interest. Had they 
been drones, they would never have thought of coming 
to Pond Town for a living, nor have encountered the toils 
and hardships incident to such a situation. They evinc- 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 15 

ed a spirit of indomitable resolution and perseverance by 
tbeir efforts to rear up families in such a desert. But 
coming from that part of Massachusetts, where they had 
been accustomed to no other than old cultivated farms, 
they were wholly unprepared for the process of clearing 
the land. They seemed not to know that corn or grain 
would grow on unplowed ground. They felled the 
trees, trimmed off the limbs and burnt them as much as 
they could and put in their plow. In this way they 
obtained very light crops, and had it not been for their 
milk, game and wild fruit, they would have starved. 
How many years they pursued this course, is not known. 
But it was not until three brothers, Nathaniel, William 
and Thomas Whittier, came from New Hampshire to that 
part of Pond Town, now Readfield, and felled twenty 
acres of trees and went back. The next Spring they 
came and burned their fallen trees. It made a tremend- 
ous fire which alarmed some who had never seen the like. 
They cleared off what the fire had not consumed, planted 
their corn and returned to New Hampshire. Some 
thought the course these men took, bordered upon in- 
sanity. But the corn sprang up and grew. The report 
that a field of twenty acres of corn was growing and 
looked promising upon land that had not been plowed, 
awakened no small degree of curiosity. Not a few went 
quite a distance to see it. In the autumn, notwithstand- 
ing what the raccoons and bears had eaten and destroyed, 
they harvested a good crop. From this experiment, the 
emigrants from Massachusetts learned an invaluable les- 
son. They were taught how to raise corn and grain on 
burnt land. I have heard one of the early settlers say, 
that every day's work in falling, burning, clearing and 



16 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

sowing, yielded him a bushel of wheat. In those days, 
that was good wages. One of the three from N. H., it 
is said, brought a bushel and a half of potatoes upon 
his shoulders from Hallowell to his farm. 

GRANTS OF LAND. 

The township was not sold to a few proprietors who 
might speculate and defraud individual purchasers. The 
Plymouth Company, or as they were then called, the 
*' Colony of New Plymouth," granted lots to individual 
settlers upon specified conditions. In examining the 
records of the Plymouth Company, I find that on June 
11, 1766, a lot of land was granted to Timothy Foster, 
*' one miie lung and one hundred poles wide, containing 
two hundred acres." This was lot No. 8, as delineated by 
a plan made by John McKecknie, who appears to have 
made the first survey of the town. The conditions of the 
grant were, " that the said Timothy Foster build an house 
not less than- twenty feet square and seven feet stud, 
clear and bring to ; fit for tillage, five acres of land with- 
in three years from the date hereof, and actually live upon 
the premises himself during said term, or in case of his 
death that his heirs, or some person under them shall 
dwell on said premises during said term, and that he or 
they, or some person under him or them shall dwell 
thereupon for seven years after the expiration of said three 
years ; reserving to this propriety all mines and minerals 
whatsoever within the hereby granted premises, with lib- 
erty of digging and carrying off* the same." 

Squier Bishop had lot No. 17 granted to him, the same 
day, on the same conditions. Eben. Ely had lot No. 18 
granted to him the same day, on the same conditions. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 17 

Lot No. 10 was granted to John Needham, June 4, 1767, 
on the same conditions. Samuel Scott had lot No. 13 
reserved for him; but Sept. 14, 1768, it was transferred 
to Samuel Needham, on the same conditions. Oct. 12, 
1768, Abraham Wyman had lot No. 12 granted to him 
on the same conditions. Nathan Hall had lot No. 11 
granted to him same day, on the same conditions. Jan. 
11, 1769, Robert Waugh had lot No. 98 granted to him 
on the same conditions. Timothy Foster, Jr., had lot No. 
5 granted to him, April 12, 1769, on the same conditions. 
The same day Phillip Snow had lot No. 30 ; Nathaniel 
Stanley, lot No. 18 ; Amos Boynton, lot No. 29 ; Peter 
Hopkins, lot No. 9 ; Benjamin Fairbanks, lot No. 6 ; 
John Chandler, lots No. 51 and 52 — all granted same 
day, on the same conditions. Nathaniel Floyd had lot 
No. 42 granted to him the same day. Stephen Pullen 
had lot No. 56 granted to him Dec. 14, 1768, on the 
same terms. Aug. 22, 1770, Ichabod How had lot No.' 
70 ; Joseph Chandler had lot No. 78 ; John Blunt had 
lot No. 22 — all on the same terms. Aug. 27, 1770, 
Billy Foster had lot No. 7; Aug. 12, 1772, Jonathan 
Whiting had lot No. 101 ; Joseph Baker had lot No. 
213; Samuel Stevens had lot No. 139; Stephen Jones 
had lot No. 14, on the same conditions. July 14, 1773, 
John Chandler had lot No. 99 ; Elisha Smith had lot No. 
134 ; Squier Bishop had lot No. 55 ; Unight Brown had 
lot No. 64 ; Jonathan "Whiting had lot No. 200 ; Richard 
Humphrey had lot No. 83, on the same conditions. 

July 9, 1777, lot No. 247, according to John Jones' 
survey, was granted to the minister, who should be first 
settled in Winthrop. The conditions were, " that he 



18 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

should continue to preach the gospel in said town for the 
term of ten years from and after his settlement, unless 
the said minister shall be removed by death before the 
expiration of that term ; provided, nevertheless, that in 
case a gospel minister shall not be settled in said Town 
on or before the year 1780 ; then this grant is to be void 
and to revert back to this Propriety." This is the lot 
upon which Mr. John Kezer now lives. (See Ecclesias- 
tical history.) 

Also, July 9, 1777, lot No. 57, Jones' survey, contain- 
ing about 200 acres, was, by the Proprietors of the Ply- 
mouth Company, " Voted, granted and assigned to the 
Town of Winthrop for the use of the ministry in said 
Town forever." (See Vol. 5, Plymouth Colony's Ee- 
cords.) 

The township was surveyed by William McKecknie. 
It was laid out in lots one mile long and one hundred 
poles, or rods, wide. (See Appendix, Note A.) 

SOIL AND PEODUCTIONS. 

The soil of Winthrop is various. Much of it is of a 
superior quality. The land was well wooded. The 
higher parts were covered with a heavy growth of maple, 
beech, birch, hemlock and spruce. There was some 
red oak. On the lower land there was some pine, fir, 
and hackmatack. In the swamps was some cedar. In 
the meadows were the native grasses, upon which they 
fed the few cattle they brought. The greater part of the 
land is arable. It is adapted to the growth of the differ- 
ent kinds of grasses, the different grains, and all the cu- 
linary vegetables to which the climate is suited. Pears 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 19 

and grapes are beginning to be considerably cultivated. 
Apples, many of the choicest kinds, abound. The settlers 
began early to provide themselves with orchards. The 
soil was very congenial to their growth. About every 
farm has a good share of orcharding. 

The first cider made in the town was from the orchard 
of Mr. Ichabod How, on the place now occupied by Mr. 
Moses Hanson and Mr. John Stanley. They had neither 
cider mill nor press. But thirsting for a beverage to 
which they were formerly accustomed as almost one of 
the necessaries of life, but had been now for a long time 
without, with true Yankee ingenuity they pounded a 
quantity of apples in a sap trough, and extracted the 
juice in a cheese press. In this way they obtained a few 
gallons. All the neighbors (and that included a long 
distance) were invited to come and partake of it as a rare 
luxury. Since the temperance reformation has led men to 
quit drinking cider so generally, very little has been made 
to use as a beverage. The practice of engrafting choice 
fruit has changed nearly all the orchards. Farmers now 
find the avails of their orchards the most profitable pro- 
ductions of their land. Nearly all the farms are small 
rather than large, and generally well cultivated and wa- 
tered. Ponds, or, as some of them might with more 
propriety be called, lakes, brooks, and springs, afi'ord an 
abundant supply of good, pure water for man and beast. 
The Cobbossee Conte great pond, which is partly in Win- 
throp and in Manchester and in Hallowell and in Litch- 
field, is nine miles long. Two others, one north of the 
village, extends into Readfield and is about six miles 
long ; another, south of the village, extends into Mon- 
mouth, and is about five miles long. Upon the streara 



20 HISTORY OP WINTHEOP. 

whicli passes from the north to the south pond is a cotton 
manufactory, a tannery, a grist mill, two saw mills, a 
woolen manufactory, and a large establishment for con- 
structing horse power machines, separators, winnowing 
machines, corn shellers, and various labor saving articles. 
The number of ponds partly or wholly in Winthrop is 
seven. These waters afford a variety of fish, the most 
valuable of which now is the pickerel, of which, till 
within a few years, there were none. Some anglers caught 
several pickerel and put them into some of the ponds, 
and they have become quite numerous. It has been said 
no fish of this kind was found in any of the waters 
emptying into the Kennebec River from the west. The 
early settlers found the streams crowded with alewives 
every spring ; but after the mill dam at Cobbossee Conte 
was made, the fish were prevented from coming up. 

SOCIAL HABITS. 

The first settlers in a new country cultivate the social 
affections. There are reasons for this. They leave the 
greater number of their relatives and acquaintance, so 
that they can seldom have personal intercourse with 
them. They often are at a considerable distance from 
each other; but they know all about each other's affairs, 
and have a lively interest in each other's welfare > When 
they meet at each other's houses, they feel entirely at 
home. As an illustration of this principle, the following 
anecdote has been related. Mr. Fairbanks one morning 
saddled and pillioned his horse (for they had no other 
way of riding) and rode up to Mr. Wood's and says, 
"Mrs. Wood, I came to ask you to go and pass the 
day at our house." Mrs. Wood says, "Mr. Fairbanks, 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 21 

I cannot go to-day, for I am just kneading a batch, of rye 
and Indian bread, which. I must bakfe." "Oh! Mrs. 
Wood, that need be no reason. I can take you on the 
pillion, and the bread trough before me, and you can 
bake at our house just as well as here." So Mrs. Wood 
decided to go, and soon they were mounted on the horse, 
Mrs. Wood upon the pillion behind Mr. Fairbanks, and 
he took the bread trough containing the dough before 
him, and they went safely. Mr. Fairbanks heated up 
his oven, and Mrs. Wood baked her bread very nicely, 
had a very sociable, friendly visit, and returned at eve in 
the same way, with a good batch of bread. But what a 
spectacle it would now present to see a horse, saddled 
and pinioned, carrying a gentleman and lady on his back, 
the gentleman having before him a kneading trough,* in 
which was dough for a batch of bread ! Yet had you 
lived in the latter part of the last century, you might 
have witnessed such a sight in Pond Town. 

Such were their privations and want of conveniences, 
that a lady, in order to make her soap one year, had to 
carry her materials on foot a distance of three miles, to 
a neighbor's who had the necessary utensils. 

SCENERY. 

Some of the scenery is surpassingly beautiful. The 



*A pillion was a large cushion for a womanto ride upon behind 
a man on horseback. It was covered with a cloth of sufficient 
size to keep the lady's clothes from the horse. It had on the nigh 
Bide a stirrup for the lady's feet, so that she rode side foremost. 

Kneading troughs were of different sizes, from two to three 
feet in length, from ten to fifteen inches in width, and about the 
same height, into which they sifted their meal, and in which they 
kneaded their dough. 
2^ 



22 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

handsome sheets of water render it very pleasant. The 
ground rises considerably in passing north from the great 
Cobbossee Conte pond. From several residences you 
have an extensive view of that charming lake, dotted 
with islands of various shapes and sizes, which is exceed- 
ingly delightful. The scenery in the region of the nar- 
row's pond is very fine. Lovers of interesting natural 
scenery, who have visited the place, have always spoken 
of it with much satisfaction. There are a few, and might 
be many, splendid country seats. The late Hon. Benja- 
min Vaughan of Hallowell, who, prior to coming to the 
United States, had held a seat in the British Parliament, 
when his friends from New York, Philadelphia, &c., 
visited him, was accustomed to give them a ride to Win- 
throp. They would come up the old road by the town 
house, and return by the narrow's pond. I have heard 
him say it was the most interesting scenery he had found 
in New England. From the hill on which the town 
house stands, when the air is favorable, the hills in Dix- 
mont, seventeen miles west of the Penobscot Biver, can 
be seen, and a section of the White Mountains in New 
Hampshire. 



CHAPTER II. 

Other settlers— Mr. Chandler — the first road — ^first mill — ^Incor- 
poration of the town — town meetings — Dr. Gardiner's Dam — 
taxes — ^paupers — bounties — acres of land and water — valuation. 

In 1766, some young men, among whom were Stephen 
Pullen, Nathaniel Stanley, Benjamin Fairbanks, and 
probably Ebenezer Bly, came to the place ; perhaps some 
others. In 1767, Nathaniel Fairbanks came and passed 
the summer, and returned. In the spring John Chandler 
came and a number of others. Prior to this, there was 
no road from Pond Town to the Kennebec River. The 
bushes were cut away, and a line of spotted trees was 
their guide through the dense forest. A grist mill had 
been erected on the Cobbossee Conte stream, in what is 
now Gardiner, by Dr. Gardiner and son, of Boston. The 
people had to go all the way to Cobbossee to procure the 
grinding of all their meal. Nor had they any other way 
of conveying it except upon their shoulders, for there was 
not a horse in the town, and there being no roads, they 
could not avail themselves of the labors of their oxen. 
An incident has been related as having occurred during 
this period of privation and trial, which may interest the 
ladies. In those days they were accustomed to all sorts 
of toil and hardship. Mrs. Foster, wife of the first set- 



24: HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

tier, undertook to assist her hasband by going to Cob- 
bossee to mill. Living on the margin of the great pond, 
she crossed in a canoe, to save distance, and the boat was 
taken back. By some means she was detained so long, 
that on her return to the east side of the pond it was so 
dark that she could not find the horn which was kept to 
call for the boat, and so was under the painful necessity 
of remaining all night in the woods. How many females 
in these days have either the strength or the courage for 
such an adventure ? 

Mr. John Chandler came with his family to the place 
in 1767. He had considerable property. Amos Stevens, 
then a young man eighteen years old, came with him as 
a hired man. Some two or three years later, his father, 
Joseph Stevens, removed into the place with the rest of 
the family. They were from New Ipswich, N. H. Mr. 
Chandler was also from the same place, and his was the 
fourth family which settled in Pond Town. As yet they 
had no road to the Kennebec River, and there being no 
saw mill in the place, they dwelt in log houses. In 1768 
a road was cleared out so that they could pass with oxen 
and cart wheels to the Hook, now Hallo well. Mr. 
Chandler built a saw mill on the stream where the cotton 
manufactory now stands, and in the course of this year 
erected a grist mill. But to get the mill stones from the 
river was a great achievement. It is said to have required 
** the whole strength of the place, both in men and oxen, 
during nearly a week." For his encouragement to settle 
and build these mills, he had the grant of what is con- 
tained in the following document : 
Copy of the conditional grant of land to Mr. John Chandler. 
*' We the Subscribers, the Committee of the Kennebec 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 



25 



Purchase from the late Colony of New Plymouth, Do 
hereby agree that Mr. John Chandler shall have a grant 
of two lots of land, of two hundred acres each, near the 
mill stream in Pond Town, and also one other lot in some 
other place in said Township, upon Condition that he 
gives bonds to build a Saw Mill in one year, and a Grist 
Mill in three years, and make one settlement on the said 
400 acres, and another settlement on the 200 acre lott, 
both on the conditions aforesaid. 
Boston, June 11, 1767. 




INCORPOEATION" OF THE TOWN. 

Pond Town was incorporated by the name of Wintheop 
by the Legislature of Massachusetts, the 26th of April, 
1771. On the same day Hallowell, Vassalborough and 
Winslow were incorporated. These were the first towns 



2& HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

incorporated within what is now the County of Kenne- 
bec. James Howard, Esq., was authorized to issue a 
warrant to call the 

riRST TOWN MEETING 

under the act of incorporation. (See Appendix, Note B.) 
The warrant is dated "the sixth day of May, 1771, at 
Fort Weston. James Howard, Justice, of the peace." 
Under this warrant a meeting was " held the 20th of 
May, at 8 o'clock in the morning, at the house of Squier 
Bishop, Innholder. Ichabod How chosen Moderator to 
manage said meeting. John Chandler, Timothy Foster, 
Ichabod How, Robert Waugh and Jonathan Whiting 
chosen Selectmen. Jonathan Whiting chosen Town 
Clerk. Stephen Pullen was chosen Constable. Ichabod 
How, Gideon Lambert and Jonathan Whiting chosen 
Assessors. Jonathan Whiting chosen Treasurer. Gideon 
Lambert and Josiah Hall chosen Wardens. Abra- 
ham Wyman and Gideon Lambert, chosen Surveyors of 
highways." The leaf upon which "the Warrant "and 
the further proceedings of the first town meeting were 
recorded, is torn and parts of it lost. 

BUKYING PLACES. 

At a town meeting, May 27, 1771, the Selectmen, ac- 
cording to instructions, " reported a burying place." The 
spot which they judged would best " commode the pres- 
ent inhabitants, lies upon the highway between Mr. Bish- 
op's and Mr. Cha — [record torn off,] — on Mr. Pullen's 
lot, bounded southerly on said highway. The land con- 
tains one acre, lying in a square form. Timothy Foster, 
Ichabod How, Jonathan Whiting, Selectmen." 



HISTORY OF WINTHEOP. 27 

The next cemetery was laid out March 10, 1777. Mi- 
cajah Dudley, John Chandler, Timothy Foster, James 
Craig, and Ransford Smith, were appointed a committee 
to select suitable places for burying the dead. 

" March 18, 1780, Voted to accept one acre of land for 
a burying place, near Mr. Chandler's, part Mr. Chand- 
ler's, and part Mr. Lambert's, and part common land, as 
it is bounded by the committee." This is the cemetery 
at the village. 

June, 1795, a committee of nine were appointed to se- 
lect places for burying the dead, and to see on what terms 
suitable places could be had. The town records contain 
no report of this committee. In August, the same year, 
the town chose a committee of three to see on what con- 
ditions the town can have burying places. They were 
instructed to purchase three, one of Mr. Stephen Pullen, 
one of Mr. John Chandler, and one of Mr. Benjamin 
Fairbanks. 

There are now five places for the interment of the dead, 
in the town, one in East Winthrop, one in the south-east 
part of the town, another in the Metcalf neighborhood, 
which was the first, one at the village, and another west 
of the village, near Dea. Stanley's. 

TOWN MEETINGS. 

The next meeting of the town was held at the house 
of 'Squier Bishop, Nov. 17,1771, and among other transac- 
tions recorded, " the town ordered John Needham, Gid- 
eon Lambert, and Ephraim Lain, [Lane,] into the box, 
to serve as petit jurors at the Interior Court of Common 
Pleas." 

They also voted to make and repair their highways by 



28 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

a tax, and to grant £50 for that purpose the ensuing year. 
In working out this sum, a man was to be allowed four 
shillings per day, and oxen two shillings. " The Assess- 
ors, in levying the money for the highway," were instruct- 
ed " to go by this rule, that a poll shall pay equal to £15 
of valuation." 

The next town meeting, as far as can be gathered from 
the town records, was held at the same place, Monday, 
March 2d, 1772. Mr. John Blunt, Moderator, Jonathan 
Whiting, Clerk. (See Appendix, Note C.) 

gakdiner's dam. 

Mr. Gardiner's dam, at Cobbossee Conte, was a great an- 
noyance. It deprived the citizens of some of their means 
of subsistence, as well as a source of income. It pre- 
vented the fish from coming up into the brooks and ponds, 
as they previoilsly did in great abundance. It is not 
known at what time the dam was built across the Cob- 
bossee Conte stream, at what is now Gardiner. The waters 
of the various ponds and brooks in town find their way to 
the Kennebec river by the Cobbossee Conte stream, at Gar- 
diner. The dam must have been built early, because the 
first settlers in Winthrop went there to have their grain 
ground. The first action of the people of "Winthrop in 
relation to the dam, on record, is at a meeting of the 
town, Nov. 17, 1771, when they chose James Craig, Jon- 
athan Whiting, and Ichabod How, a committee to solicit 
Dr. Gardiner & Son to open a place through, or around 
their mill dam, to let the fish up for the benefit of the 
town. In the warrant for the meeting, March, 1772, 
the 5th article was, " To choose a committee to solicit 
Mr. William Gardiner to open a place through or round 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 29 

his mill dam, to let the fish up for the benefit of the town." 
August 30, 1773, " The committee made a verbal report 
to this purport, that they had waited on the Dr., and de- 
sired him to open a suitable way through or round his 
mill dam, for the fish to go up for the benefit of the town, 
but that the Dr. wholly declined to comply with their re- 
quest. 

July 10, 1775, chose Joseph Baker, Ransford Smith, 
and John Blunt, a committee to obtain a fish way through 
Mr. Gardiner's mill dam at Cobbossee in some lawful 
way. 

May 17, 1779, they appointed " Capt. John Blunt, 
Lieut.^ Jonathan Whiting and Mr. James Craig, a com- 
mittee to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace to 
obtain a fish way round or over Mr. Gardiner's mill dam, 
at the next session to be held at Pownalborough in June 
next, and to pursue the afiair, at the expense of the town, 
as they in their judgment shall think best, till they obtain 
said end, or shall be satisfied it is not attainable." 

May 3, 1784, Capt. John Blunt, Robert Page, and Sam- 
uel Foster, were appointed a committee to procure a fish 
way through Mr. Gardiner's mill dam if possible. April, 
1789, Benjamin Monk, Squier Bishop and David Foster, 
were a fish committee. 

March 1, 1790, Samuel Wood, Joseph Metcalf and 
Capt. Nathaniel Fairbanks, were a fish committee. 

April, 1791, JedediahPrescot, Jr., Reuben Brainardand 
John Chandler, were appointed a fish committee. 

April, 1794, John Wadsworth, William Pullen and 
Timothy Foster, were appointed a fish committee. May 
following, the town " Voted that the committee proceed 
against the mill dam, at Cobbossee stream, as the law di- 



30 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

rects." 1 796, Samuel Wood, John Wadsworth and Elijali 
Wood, were the fish committee. 

At a meeting, Jan., 1806, the Representative to the 
General Court, was instructed to oppose having Cobbos- 
see Conte stream exempted from the fish law of the Com- 
monwealth. 

But all their efforts proved unavailing. No fish from 
the river came into the ponds. 

TAXES. 

The first tax, which was seven dollars, it has been said, 
was paid with the head of a wolf, killed by Mr. Benjamin 
Fairbanks. He received that sum as a bounty from the 
State, for the head of the wolf. Whatever the fact in this 
case might have been, there is probably a mistake in re- 
gard to the date. For Feb. 21, 1783, is the following, 
" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, that whosoever shall, hereafter, within this 
Commonwealth, kill any grown wolf, or wolfs whelp, 
(other than such as shall be taken out of the belly of any 
bitch wolf,) and bring the head thereof unto the constable 
of said town, in which such wolf, or wolf's whelp shall 
be killed — the constable, in presence of one or more of 
the selectmen, shall cut off" both the ears of the same, and 
cause them to be burned. And such selectman or men, 
and constable, shall give the party a receipt for the said 
head, expressing whether it be a grown wolf or a whelp ; 
and upon producing such receipt, the party shall be paid 
and allowed by the treasurer of such town, out of the town 
treasury, the sum of four pounds, for every head of a 
grown wolf by him killed, and the sum of one pound for 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 31 

every wolfs whelp ; and all such sum and sums of money 
so paid out of any town treasury, in manner aforesaid, 
shall be paid and allowed to such town by the Treasurer 
and Receiver General of this Commonwealth."* 

March 1, 1773, in town meeting, "Proposed to the 
town that the Selectmen petition the Great and General 
Court to exempt this town from Province tax for five 
years. Passed in the affirmative." 

During the Revolutionary war, the people were, in 
common with other inhabitants of the country, subjected 
to burdensome taxes. In 1778, the town " granted £30 
to procure clothing for the army." They also voted " to 
give six dollars a pair for shoes, five dollars a pair for 
shirts, and four dollars a pair for stockings." They also 
"voted to raise 260 dollars, to be assessed and collected 
by the first day of Jan., 1779, to provide clothing for the 
soldiers. They also excused those who were in the army 
in 1775 from paying taxes. 1780, " Voted to raise three 
thousand pounds to hire men into the service, and that it 
shall be assessed as soon as may be." They agreed " to 
hire men into the service this year by a vote, when they 
are sent for by lawful authority." Aug., 1781, "Voted 
to procure 2850^1bs. of beef, agreeably to the resolve of 
the General Court — and 12 shirts at 12 shillings a pair, 
12 pairs stockings, at 8 shillings a pair, and 12 pairs of 
shoes at 9 shillings a pair." 

The town, many years, was very lightly taxed for the 
support of the poor. For there were very few who needed 
their assistance. 1 793, Benjamin Monk acknowledged the 
receipt of $19 for keeping the widow Joy from the 5th 



Perpetual Laws of Mass., from 1780 to 1789, p. 367. 



32 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

of May, 1790 to Aug. 12, 1793 — and also for her cloth- 
ing, £1 19s. 9jd. She died, 1797. 1798, Ephraim 
Stevens received $40 for keeping Joseph Stevens 32 weeks. 
Jan., 1800, Rial Stanly received $24,62 for keeping An- 
drew Nelson. Feb. 20, he received $22,38 for keeping 
Andrew Nelson and his' wife, and for providing snuff and 
rum, and one shirt. This man belonged to Boston. For 
the bills for his support, amounting to $109,32, Dec. 13, 
1800, were sent to Boston. He died in Dec, 1801. 

PEOYISION FOK THE POOE. 

In 1837, an amount of revenue had accumulated in the 
Treasury of the United States, beyond what was needed 
to meet the current expenses. It was proposed to dis- 
tribute this surplus in the different States. This town 
received as their share of the surplus revenue, the sum of 
$000,00, which they invested in a farm and buildings, 
bought of Jesse L. Fairbanks, for $2,100, for the support 
of the poor. This is a much more humane and Christian 
mode of ministering to the necessitous than was formerly 
practiced. They were put up at public auction and bid- 
den off to the person w^ho would keep them for the small- 
est sum. By falling into the hands of unprincipled, in- 
human persons, the poor sometimes actually suffered for 
the necessaries of life. But now they are well provided 
for, and the town prospers. 

BOUNTIES, &c. 

May 7, 1798, the town offered a bounty of twenty-five 
cents apiece for every crow which any person should kill 
and carry to either of the selectmen. " Said bounty 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP 33 

to continue one year from this day and no longer." 
1799, the bounty for killing crows the same as last 
year. 1800, May 5, the bounty "for old crow's heads" 
was " fifty cents, and for young ones, twelve and a half 
cents, for two months from this day." May 6, 1805, they 
offered a bounty of twenty-five cents for the killing of old 
crows, and twelve and a half for young ones, from this 
day to the 20th of July. 

In 1840, it was estimated that there were in the town, 
16,880 acres of land, 8,342 acres of water, and 318 acres 
of roads, making the whole number of acres 25,540. 

The valuation of property in the town in the year 
1820, was $111,462,41. The number of polls was 376. 
In 1830, the valuation was 8244,532. The polls 325. 
In 1840, the valuation was 8459,380. The polls 340. 
In 1854, the valuation was 8528,905. The polls 445. 



CHAPTER III. 

Roads — Representatives — Town OjEcers. 

ROADS. 

Seveeal of the early settlers, from the spots on which 
they located themselves, appear to have deemed the ele- 
vated situations the most eligible. Apparently without 
any reference to the convenience of making their roads, 
or of harvesting the productions of their farms, they 
pitched their tents on the high ground. Their method 
was, to clear away the bushes to open a path from one 
habitation to another, and, with their ax, cut off a slice 
from the standing trees, at short distances, which was 
their guide through the woods. They called this spotting 
the trees. They not unfrequently traveled by this guide 
many miles, where there was no inhabitant. "Without 
felling the trees to open a way wide enough for a road, 
they threw small logs across the miry places and the 
streams, so that they could walk over them. After they 
began to have oxen, they fell the trees and \videned their 
path so that they could go with their cart wheels. They 
would, from one time to another, repair these paths, till 
at length they became permanent roads, of course they 
were very crooked and hilly. The town has been at great 
expense to render them more level and straight. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 35 

The first statement in regard to roads, on the records 
of the town, is dated Nov. 17, 1771, which was the au- 
tumn after the town was incorporated. " We the sub- 
scribers, being Selectmen of the town of Winthrop, this 
day laid out a road upon the height of land above Mr. 
Delano's, between the lot No. 4 and No. 5, and running 
across a range of lots into the highway, a little west of 
Nathan Hall's house, the road being about three poles 
wide, and the trees are all marked upon the right hand 
with the letter W. TIMOTHY FOSTER, 

JOHN CHANDLER, 
ICHABOD HOW, 
JONATHAN WHITING." 
The records are defaced, and some of them gone, so that 
it is not practicable to give a correct view of the roads 

first established. 

« 

March 18, 1780, " Voted that sleds used by the inhab- 
itants of Winthrop, in said town the naxt winter, shall be 
four feet and a half wide, from outside to outside, and 
all those who presume to use narrower ox sleds in said 
town the next winter, shall be liable to the penalty of 
three dollars for each ofiense. Squier Bishop, Nathaniel 
Fairbanks, James Craig, Francis PuUen and John Chan- 
dler, Jr., were a committee to see that this regulation was 
carried into eff'ect." 

" Voted to raise two thousand pounds, to make and 
repair roads, to be worked out at twenty dollars per day 
for men, and fifteen dollars per day for a pair of oxen.'' 

March 12, 1781, the town " Voted to raise £4000 law- 
ful money, to make and repair roads, and that men shall 
be allowed twelve pounds per day, and oxen eight." 



36 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

EEPEESENTATITES. 

The following persons have been appointed to repre- 
sent the town in the General Court, or Legislature of 
Massachusetts, or the State of Maine. The town records 
are torn and some gone, for some of the first years after 
the town was incorporated. I have not been able to find 
any record of Plantation proceedings, nor choice of Rep- 
resentatives to the General Court, till 1775. 

1775, Ichabod How was sent to represent the town 
in a Provincial Congress held at Cambridge, Feb. 5. 

1779, Benjamin Brainard was Representative to the 
General Court. He was directed to procure a town stock 
of powder und fire-arms. 

1780 and 1781, (Record illegible from bad ink.) 

1782 and 1783 , Jonathan Whiting. 

1784 and 1785, Robert Page. 

1786, Jonathan Whiting. 

1787, Joshua Bean. 

1788 and 1789, Capt. Solomon Stanley. 
1790 and 1791, Jedediah Prescott, Jr. 

1792, (Record illegible.) 

1793, Samuel Wood. 

1794, Nathaniel Fairbanks, Delegate to a Convention 
to be held in Portland in June. 

1795, Jedediah Prescott. 

1796, None. 

1797, 1798, 1799, 1800 and 1801, Nathaniel Fairbanks. 

1802, William Richards. 

1803, 1804, 1805 and 1806, Nathaniel Fairbanks, Esq. 

1807, 1808 and 1809, Samuel Wood, Esq. 

1810 and 1811, Andrew Wood. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 3*T 

1812 and 1813, Samuel Wood and Dr. Issachar Snell. 
1814 and 1815, Alexander Belcher 

1816, Alexander Belcher and Samuel Wood, 

1817, John May. 

1818, None. 

1819, Alexander Belcher. 

1820, Andrew Wood. 

The following represented the town in the State of 
Maine, after its separation from Massachusetts : 
1821 and 1822, Andrew Wood. 
1823, Thomas Fillebrown. 
1824 and 1825, Nathan Howard. 

1826, Hon. Thomas Fillebrown. 

1827, Isaac Moore, Jr. 

1828 and 1829, Hon. Thomas Fillebrown. 

1830, Andrew Wood, and Hon. Thomas Fillebrown. 

1831 and 1832, Samuel Clark. 

1833 and 1834, Samuel P. Benson. 

1835,1836, 1837, 1838 and 1839, Dr. Ezekiel Holmes. 

1840 and 1841, Nathan Foster. 

1842, Samuel Wood, Jr. 

1843, None. 

1844, Francis Perley. 

1845, None. 

1846, Thomas C. Wood. 

1847, None. 

1848, James B. Fillebrown. 

1849, None. 

1850, Dr. Ezekiel Holmes. 1851, None. 
1852, Ezekiel Bailey. 1853, None. 
1854, Benjamin H. Cushman. 



38 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 



TOWN OFFICEHS MODEEATOKS. 

The first town meeting after the act of incorporation, 
April, 1771, was held at the house of Squier Bishop, inn- 
holder, May 27, 1771. Jonathan Whiting was chosen 
Moderator. He was also Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, 
and Selectman. 

1772. John Blunt. 

1773. IchabodHow. 

1774. Jonathan Whiting. 

1775 — Five meetings. Jonathan Whiting, Squier 
Bishop, Jonathan Whiting, Josiah Hall and Joseph Stev- 
ens. 

1776 — Four meetings. Ichabod How, of all. 

1777 — Seven meetings. Josiah Hall of the first, and 
Ichabod How of the other six. 

1778 — Three meetings. Ichabod How, Gideon Lam- 
bert and Ichabod How. 

1779 — Three meetiuGis. John Blunt, Jonathan Whit- 



o 



ing and Solomon Stanley. 

1780 — Three meetings. Jonathan Whiting, Eliphalet 
Foster and Solomon Stanley. 

1781 — Six meetings. Josiah French, John Sleeper, 
Daniel Marrow, Benjamin Brainerd, and Josiah Hall, 
twice. 

1782 — Four meetings. Daniel Marrow, James Craig, 
Jonathan Whiting and Gideon Lambert. 

1783 — Three meetings. Solomon Stanley, Jonathan 
Whiting, Jr., and Nathaniel Fairbanks. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 39 

1784— Three meetings. Solomon Stanley, Robert 
Page and Joshua Bean. 

1785 — Three meetings. Joshua Bean, Solomon Stan- 
ley and Joshua Bean. 

1786 — Six meetings. Solomon Stanley twice, Josh- 
ua Bean, Samuel wood, Solomon Stanley and Robert 
Page. 

1787 — Six meetings. Ichabod How, Joshua Bean 
twice, James Craig, Samuel Wood and Dr. J. Hubbard. 

1788 — Six meetings. Samuel Wood, Solomon Stan- 
ley, Robert Page, Squier Bishop, Phillip Allen and Dr. 
John Hubbard. 

1789 — Two meetings. Solomon Stanley both times. 

1 790— Six meetings. Solomon Stanley, Capt. Nathan- 
iel Fairbanks, Solomon Stanley and Nathaniel Fairbanks 
three times. 

1791 — Four meetings. Joshua Bean, Solomon Stan- 
ley, Nathaniel Fairbanks and Solomon Stanley. 

The following were Moderators after Readfield was 
incorporated. 

1792— Three meetings. Samuel Wood, Phillip Allen 
and Samuel Wood. 

1793 — Three meetings. Samuel Wood and Joseph 
Metcalf twice. 

1 794— Three meetings. Samuel Wood, Ephraim Ste- 
vens and Samuel Wood. 

1795. Samuel Wood. 

1796 — Three meetings. Joseph Metcalf, and Samuel 
Wood twice. 

1797 — Three meetings. Samuel Wood, twice, and 
Col. Nathaniel Fairbanks. 



40 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

1 798 — Four meetings. Col. Nathaniel Fairbanks, three 
times, and Ephraim Stevens. 

1799 — Three meetings. Samuel Wood, Col. Nathan- 
iel Fairbanks and Andrew Wood. 

1800 — Five meetings. Samuel Wood, four times, and 
Nathaniel Fairbanks. 

1801 — Three meetings. Andrew Wood. 

1 802 — Four meetings. Samuel Wood, Nathaniel Fair- 
banks, twice, and Samuel Wood. 

1803 — Three meetings. Samuel Wood. 

1804 — Two meetings. Samuel Wood and J. Metcalf. 

1805 — Two meetings. Nathaniel Fairbanks. 

1806 — Six meetings. Wm. Richards, Samuel Wood, 
twice, Nathaniel Kimball, Nathaniel Fairbanks and Sam- 
uel Wood. 

1807 — Five meetings. Samuel Wood, three times, 
and Joseph Metcalf, twice. 

1808 — Five meetings. Samuel Wood, Nathaniel Kim- 
ball, Joseph Metcalf, Samuel Wood and Dudley Todd. 

1809 — Five meetings. Elijah Davenport, Dudley Todd, 
and Samuel Wood, three times. 

1810 — Three meetings. Nathaniel Fairbanks, John 
Man and Samuel Wood. 

181 1 — Four meetings. Capt. Sylvanus Thomas, twice, 
Samuel Wood and Jonathan Whiting. 

1812 — Two meetings. Samuel Wood. 

1813 — Two meetings. Samuel Wood. 

1814 — Six meetings. Samuel Wood, twice, John May, 
Sylvanus Thomas, and Samuel Wood, twice. 

1815. Sylvanus Thomas. 

1816. Samuel Wood. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP 41 

1817 — Four meetings. John May, Samuel Wood, 
John May and Enoch Wood. 

181 8 — Three meetings. Samuel Wood, Daniel Camp- 
bell, Esq., and Samuel Wood. 

181 9 — Four meetings. Sylvanus Thomas, twice, Sam- 
uel Wood and Daniel Campbell, Esq. 

1820 — Four meetings. Samuel Wood, John May» 
Samuel Wood and John May. 

1821 — Four meetings. Samuel Wood, Sylvanus Thom- 
as, John May and Samuel Wood. 

1822 — Four meetings. Sylvanus Thomas, John May, 
Samuel Wood and Joseph Metcalf. 

1823 — Three meetings. Samuel Wood, and Thomas 
Fillebrown, twice. 

1824 — Three meetings. Sylvanus Thomas, Levi Fair- 
banks and Thomas Fillebrown. 

1825 — Two meetings. Thomas Fillebrown. 

1826 — Two meetings. Thomas Fillebrown. 

1827 — Five meetings. David Eastman, Richard Bel- 
cher, three times, and Levi Fairbanks. 

1 828 — Four meetings. Rich'd Belcher, Hushai Thom- 
as, and John May, twice. 

1829 — Three meetings. George W. Stanley. 

1830 — Two meetings. Geo. W. Stanley and J. May. 

1831 — Four meetings. George W. Stanley. 

1832 — Eleven meetings. George W. Stanley, four 
times, John May, twice, G. W. Stanley, Samuel Benja- 
min, G. W. Stanley, and Samuel P. Benson, twice. 

1833 — Three meetings. G. W. Stanley, Elijah Wood 
and John Richards. 

1834 — Two meetings. G. W. Stanley and Gustavus 
A. Benson. 



42 HISTORY OF -WINTHROP, 

1835 — Five meetings. Gustavus A. Benson, twice, 
Moses White, Esq., twice, and G. A. Benson. 

1836 — Seven meetings. Gustavus A. Benson, tliree 
times, Israel Bomiey, Doct. Ezekiel Holmes, Israel Bon- 
ney and Moses White. 

1837 — Six meetings. Gustavus A. Benson, three times, 
John May, twice, and G. A. Benson. 

1838 — Three meetings. Gustavus A. Benson, twice, 
and Ezekiel Holmes. 

1839 — Four meetings. Gustavus A. Benson, twice, 
Elijah Wood, Esq., and Francis Fuller. 

1 840 — Two meetings. Gustavus A. Benson and Elij ah. 
Wood, 

1 841 — Two meetings. James B. Fillebrown and John 
Fairbanks. 

1842 — Two meetings. G. A. BensonandW. H.Parlin. 

1843. James B. Fillebrown. 

1844. James B. Fillebrown. 

1845 — Two meetings. James B. Fillebrown and Wil- 
liam H. Parlin. 

1846 — Two meetings. Gustavus A. Benson and Al- 
exander Belcher. 

1847. William H. Parlin. 

1848 — Three meetings. William H. Parlin, twice, 
and John M. Benjamin. 

1849. William H. Parlin. 

1850. James B. Fillebrown. 

1851 — Two meetings. W. H. Parlin and A. Belcher. 
1852 — Two meetings. Wm. H. Parlin and Moses B. 
Sears. 

1853. Gustavus A. Benson, 

1854 — Two meetings. William. H. Parlin, 



HISTORY OF WIXTHROP. 43 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1771, 1772 and 1773, Jonathan Whiting. 

1774 and 1775, Ichabod How. 

1776, 1777 and 1778, Josiah Hall. 

1779 and 1780, Ichabod How. 

1781, Jonathan Whiting-. 

1782 and 1783, James Work. 

1784, Nathaniel Fairbanks. 

1785 and 1786, Jonathan Whiting. 

1787 and 1788, Jedediah Prescot, Jr. 

1789 and 1790, John Hubbard. 

1791, John Comings. 

1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796 and 1797, Nathaniel 
Fairbanks. 

1798, Samnel Wood. " Sept., he was chosen a Dele- 
gate to the Convention to be holden at Hallowell on the 
fourth Tuesday of Octo. next, according to an order of 
the General Court, to agree on certain lines by which to 
divide the County of Lincoln." 

1799, Moses Wood. 

1800, Joseph Metcalf. 

1801 and 1802, Silas Lambert. 

1803 and 1804, Joseph Tinkham. 

1805, John May was Town Clerk until 1814, inclusive. 

1815, Samuel Benjamin was Town Clerk until 1823, in. 

1824, Seth May. 

1825, 1826, 1827 and 1828, Cyrus Bishop. 
1829, 1830, 1831 and 1832, Samuel Wood, Jr. 
1833, 1834, 1835 and 1836, Pliny Harris. 

1837, Samuel Benjamin. 

1838, 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1842, Edward Mitchell. 



44 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

1843, 1844 and 1845, Cyrus Bishop. 
1846, 1847 and 1848, Samuel Wood, Jr. 
1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854 and 1855, Jolin 
M. Benjamin, 

SELECTMEN. 

1771, Timothy Foster, Ichabod How and Jonathan 
Whiting. 

1772, Jonathan Whiting, Ichabod How and J. Blunt. 

1773, Jonathan Whiting, Gideon Lambert and Icha- 
bod How. 

1774, Jona. Whiting, Ichabod How and Jos. Baker. 

1775, John Chandler, Timothy Foster and William 
Armstrong. 

1776, Jos. Stevens, Jona. Whiting and John Chandler. 

1777, Ichabod How, Tim. Foster and Stephen Pullen. 

1778, Josiah Hall, Gid. Lambert and Eben. Davenport. 

1779, Ichabod How, Wm. Whittier and James Craig. 

1780, Ichabod How, Benj. Brainerd and Sol. Stanley. 

1781, Josiah French, John Sleeper and Jona. Whiting. 

1782, Jas. Work, Soloman Stanley, Nat. Whittier, Jr., 
Nathaniel Fairbanks and Benjamin Fairbanks. 

1783, James Work, Nathaniel Fairbanks, Solomon 
Stanley, Benjamin Fairbanks and Benjamin Brainerd. 

1784, Nathaniel Fairbanks, Joshua Bean, Solomon 
Stanley, Benjamin Fairbanks and James work. 

1785, Jonathan Whiting, Benjamin Brainerd and Wil- 
liam Whittier. 

1786, Jonathan Whiting, Joshua Bean, Benj. Brain- 
erd, Gideon Lambert and William Pullen. 

1787, Jedediah Prescot, Jr., Robert Page, Phillip 
Allen, Doct. John Hubbard and Samuel Wood. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 45 

1788, Jedediah Prescot, Jr., Doct. John Hubbard and 
Phillip Allen. ^ 

1789, Doct. John Hubbard, Amos Stevens and Sam- 
uel Wood. 

1790, Doct. John Hubbard, Amos Stevens and Joshua 
Bean. 

The follomng were Selectmen after Readfield was in- 
corporated. 

1791, John Comings, Jonathan Whiting, Jr., and Sol- 
omon Stanley. 

1792, Nat. Fairbanks, Sam. Wood and Phillip Allen. 

1793, Nat. Fairbanks, Sam. Wood and Phillip Allen. 

1794, Nathaniel Fairbanks, Samuel Wood and John 
Wads worth. 

1795, Nat. Fairbanks, John Comings and Enoch Wood. 

1796, Sam. Wood, John Wadsworth and Elijah Wood. 

1797, Sam. Wood, John Wadsworth and Chas. Harris. 

1798, Sam. Wood, John Kezer and Andrew Wood. 

1799, Andrew Wood, Moses Wood and John Kezer. 

1800, Jos. Metcalf, Moses Wood and Andrew Wood. 

1801, Andrew Wood, Silas Lambert and Wm. Richards. 

1802, Silas Lambert, Wm. Richards and Elijah Fair- 
banks. 

1803, Sam. Wood, John Kezer and John May. 

1804, Sam. Wood, John Kezer and Nat. Kimball. 

1805, Nat. Fairbanks, Nat. Kimball and Thos. Eastman. 

1806, Nat. Fairbanks, Nat. Kimball and Isaac Smith. 

1807, Sam. Wood, Dudley Todd and Hushai Thomas. 

1808, Sam. Wood, Dudley Todd and Hushai Thomas. 

1809, Sam. Wood, Dudley Todd and Hushai Thomas. 

1810, Sam. Wood, Alex. Belcher and Hushai Thomas. 

1811, Alex. Belcher, Jos. Metcalf and Elijah Fairbanks. 



46 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

1812, Joseph Metcalf, John May and Peter Stanley. 

1813, Joseph Metcalf, Peter Stanley and John May. 

1814, Jos. Metcalf, Asa Fairbanks and Peter Stanley. 

1815, Asa Fairbanks, Alex. Belcher and John May. 

1816, Alex. Belcher, John May and Samuel Holt. 

1817, Sylvanus Thomas, John May and Sam. Clark. 

1818, Sylvanus Thomas, John May and Dan. Haywood. 

1819, Alex. Belcher, John May and Silas Lambert. 

1820, Samuel Wood, Benjamin Perkins and Daniel 
Campbell, 

1821, John Morrill, Benj. Perkins and Andrew Wood. 

1822, John Morrill, John May and Andrew Wood. 

1823, And. Wood, John May and Wadsworth Foster. 

1824, Hon. Thomas Fillebrown, John Morrill and Levi 
Fairbanks. 

1825, John Morrill, Nath. Howard and David Eastman. 

1826, David Eastman, Levi Fairbanks and Benjamin 
Dearborn. 

1827, D Eastman, L Fairbanks and Benj. Dearborn. 

1828, David Eastman, Benjamin Dearborn and Francis 
Perley. 

1829, John Morrill, Samuel Clark and John Richards. 

1830, John Morrill, Samuel Clark and John Richards. 

1831, John Morrill, John Richards and John May. 

1832, John May, John Richards and Thurston W. 
Stevens. 

1833, John Richards, Oren Shaw and T. W. Stevens. 

1834, John May, Benjamin Robbins and John Morrill. 

1835, John Morrill, Benjamin Robbins and Sam. Clark. 

1836, Isaac Bonney, Moses White and Oakes Howard. 

1837, Alexander Belcher, Oakes Howard and Noah. 
Currier. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 47 

1838, Moses B. Sears, Noali Currier and Francis Fuller. 

1839, Moses B. Sears, Francis Fuller and* Thomas C. 
Wood. 

1840, M. B. Sears, John Fairbanks and T. C. Wood. 

1841, John Fairbanks, T. C. Wood and Francis Fuller. 

1842, John Fairbanks, T. C. Wood and Francis Fuller. 

1843, Sam. Benjamin, Ezekiel Bailey and T. C. Wood. 

1844, Samuel P. Benson, Francis Fuller and Jonathan 
L. Stanley. 

1845, Samuel P. Benson, Francis Fuller and Jonathan 
L. Stanley. 

1846, Samuel P. Benson, Francis Fuller and Jonathan 
L. Stanley. 

1847, Samuel P. Benson, Francis Fuller and Jonathan 
L. Stanley. 

1848, Samuel P. Benson, Francis Fuller and Erastus 
W. Kelley. 

1849, Erastus W. Kelley, Oakes Howard and James 
B. Fillebrown. * 

1850, Oakes Howard, F. Fuller and John Fairbanks. 

1851, Francis Fuller, Oakes Howard and M. B. Sears. 

1852, Moses B. Sears, Zelotes A. Morrow and Stephen 
Gammon. 

1853, M. B. Sears, Z. A. Marrow and Ste. Gammon. 

1854, John May, Moses Bailey and Joshua Wing. 

1855, John May, Moses Bailey and Joshua Wing. 

TOWN TKEASTJIIEIIS. 

1771 and 1772, Jonathan Whiting. 

1773, John Chandler was Treasurer until 1784, in. 

1785, Stepl?.en Pullen. 



48 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

1786 and 1787, Nathaniel Fairbanks. 

1788, Samuel Wood. 

1789 and 1790, Jonathan Whiting, Jr. 

1791, Benjamin Fairbanks. 

1792, John Comings. 

1793, Joseph Metcalf was Treasurer until 1798, in. 
1799, 1800 and 1801, Benjamin Fairbanks. 
1802, 1803 and 1804, Nathaniel Fairbanks. 

1805 and 1806, Barney Haskell. 

1807, Dean Howard was Treasurer until 1823, in. 

1824, 1825, 1826 and 1827, Isaac Bonney. 

1828 and 1829, Albert Haywood. 

1830, Alex. Belcher was Treasurer until 1836, in. 

1837, Samuel Clark was Treasurer until 1846, in. 

1847, Gustavus A. Benson. 

1848, 1849, 1850 and 1851, Alexander Belcher. 
1852 and 1853, David Stanley. 

1854 and 1855, Erastus W. Kelley. 

CONSTABLES. 

1771, Stephen Pullen. 

1772, John Chandler, Timothy Foster, Ransford Smith, 
Joseph Brown, Robert Waugh and Benjamin Fairbanks. 

1773, John Chandler. 

1774, John Blunt. 

1775, Billy Foster and Amos Stevens. 

1776, Squier Bishop and Moses Ayer. 

1777, Josiah Hall and James Craig. 

1778, Zebedee Delano and James Work. 

1779, Timothy Foster, Jr., " refused to serve, and paid 
five pounds fine," Gideon Lambert and Henry Wyman. 

1780, Jonathan Whiting, Jr., and John Stain.v 



(^ 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 4"9 



\y 



1781, John Fuller and William Whittier. 

1782, John Chandler, Jr., and Benjamin Brainerd. 

1783, Christopher Turner and Nathaniel Whittier. 
1784 and 1785, Henry Wyman. 

1786, Daniel Marrow. 

1787, William Sleeper and John Comings. 

1788, John Comings. 

1789 and 1790, Henry Wyman. 

1791, Samuel Prescot. 

1792, Squier Bishop. 

1793, 1794 and 1795, Benjamin Allen. 

1796, Amos Stevens. 

1797, Joseph Matthews. 
1798 and 1799, Moses Joy. 
1800, Enoch Wood. 

1801 and 1802, John May. 

1803, John Harvey. 

1804 and 1805, John Comings. 

1806, Benjamin Fairbanks. 

1807, 1808 and 1809, Andrew Wood. 
1810 and 1811, Ichabod Foster. 
1812 and 1813, Samuel Johnson. 

1814, Enoch Wood. 

1815, William Richards. 

1816, 1817 and 1818, Samuel R. Fowler. 

1819, Cyrus Bishop. 

1820, Noah Currier. 

1821, Cyrus Bishop. 

1822, Noah Currier. 

1823, William C. Fuller. 

1824, George W. Stanley. 

3* 



50 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

1825 and 1826, William C. Fuller. 

1827, Moses White. 

1828, William C. Fuller. 

1829, Isaac Bowles and George W. Stanley. 

1830, Noah Currier and Isaac Bonney. 

1831, Noah Currier and George W. Stanley. 

1832, William C- Fuller and George W. Stanley. 

1833, William C. Fuller and Isaac Bonney. 
1834 and 1835, Asa Fairbanks. 

1836, Asa Fairbanks, Elias Whiting and Cyrus Bishop. 

1837, Asa Fairbanks, Elias Whiting and Cyrus Bishop. 

1838, Asa Fairbanks and Thomas Newman. 

1839, Jonathan L. Stanley and Cyrus Bishop. 

1840, 1841 and 1842, Cyrus Bishop. 
1843, Erastus W. Kelley. 

1844 and 1845, Cakes Howard. 

2846, 1847, 1848, 1849 and 1850, Moses H. Metcalf. 

1851, Benjamin Thing. 

1852, Benjamin C. Gardiner. 

1853, Erastus W. Kelley. 

1854, Josephus Stevens, Randall Nevins, Henry Wood- 
ward and Moses B. Sears. 

1855, David T. Whiting. 

The first man honored with the commission of Justice 
of the Peace, was Jonathan Whiting, Senior. 

The next was Robert Page, in what is now Readfield. 
Nathaniel Fairbanks and Samuel Wood received the same 
commissions at an early period. 

Samuel Wood was appointed Coroner, for the County 
of Lincoln, in 1789, by his Excellency John Hancock, 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 51 

then Governor of Mass. Lincoln County then included 
what is now a part of Waldo, of Sagadahoc, the whole 
of Kennebec, a part of Franklin and the w^hole of Som- 
erset, if no more. He had the commission of Justice of 
the Peace prior to 1798. He was appointed Session 
Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, by his 
Excellency Caleb Strong, Governor of Mass., in 1814, 
and was constituted Chief Justice of the Court of Ses- 
sions by his Excellency John Brooks, Governor of Mass. 
Nathaniel Fairbanks received a Captain's commission 
from his Excellency Governor Hancock, in 1788. He 
was the first, within what is now Winthrop, who was 
commissioned Colonel of a Regiment. Simon Page had 
previously been appointed Lieut. Colonel. Col. F. v/as 
probably commissioned as Justice of the Peace prior to 
1796. 



CHAPTEE lY. 

Division of the Town — division of the State — against monopoly 
— privations, hardships, &c.,— patriotism — ^politics. 

DIVISION OE THE TOWN. 

The subject of dividing the town began to be discussed 
at least ten years before it was eifected. Nov., 1 781, they 
agreed to " divide the town into two parts, as the water 
divides it, i. e., the south pond, so called, the mill stream, 
the mill pond, and from the most northerly part of the 
mill pond, a north line to the end of the town." 

In Sept., 1787, they voted again to divide the town, 
by an east and west line, according to a division of the 
town into two parishes, in Jan., 1785 ; and " to send by 
Mr. Bean, their representative to the General Court, to 
have it effected." Dec, 1788, they again voted to di- 
vide it " by an east and west line, as heretofore, 43 in 
favor, and none against it." 

At the town meeting at the house of Henry Wyman, 
June 21, 1790, " Voted to divide the town into two towns, 
by an east and west line, leaving 5-9 of the space be- 
twixt the north and south line, in the south town, and 
4-9 in the north town. Adjourned to the green at the 
door. Voted to take the yeas and nays of the meeting, 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 53 

(on the question of dividing the town,) and also the yeas 
and nays of the town at large. Of the meeting, there were 
37 yeas and one nay. Then adjourned to the house, and 
voted that the Selectmen prepare a petition to the Gen- 
eral Court, praying for said division." This was done, 
and the north part was incorporated by the name of Read- 
field, in March, 1791. 

The subject of having a town incorporated so that 
what has long been called the " Forks of the Road " should 
be the center, began to be agitated as early as 1809. It 
was contemplated to take a part of Winthrop, Read- 
field, Augusta and Hallowell, to constitute this new town. 
On the 8th of Dec, that year, the town voted to remon- 
strate against the petition of Jesse Robinson and others, 
for having the easterly part of the town set off, 58 to 18. 
At a meeting of the town, Dec. 6, 1811, they " voted that 
the Selectmen draft a remonstrance against the prayer 
of the petition of William Richards and others for a di- 
vision of the toAvn, and forward it to the Legislature the 
present winter session." 

DIVISION OF THE STATE. 

" On a Thanksgiving day, Decemr. 15, 1785, by virtue 
of a circular letter received from Hallowell, the inhab- 
itants of the town of Winthrop were warned to meet at 
the house of Squier Bishop, on Monday, the 19th day of 
this inst., at one o'clock, to try the minds of the town 
respecting these three easterly counties forming them- 
selves into a separate State." The meeting was held 
accordingly, and they voted in favor of having York, 
Cumberland and Lincoln Counties become a State separ- 
ate from Massachusetts. They appointed Jonathan Whit- 



54 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

ing a Delegate to attend a Convention on the subject, to 
be holden at Falmouth on the first "Wednesday of Jan., 
1786, and to pay the delegate for his attendance. "What 
was done at this Convention is not known. 

" Feb. 8, 1786, Voted to have paper money made for 
currency and to pay rates." 

March 13. This year Mr. Joshua Bean was chosen a 
Delegate to attend the Convention at Falmouth the first 
Wednesday in Sept. next. At this meeting of the town, 
they " took an exact account of those in favor and those 
against the Convention, and there were 80 in favor, and 
none against it." This Convention was, doubtless, called 
to deliberate on the subject of having the three Counties, 
which included the whole of Maine, made a separate 
State. 

At a meeting of the town, May, 1794, Nathaniel Fair- 
banks was aj)pointed a Delegate to attend a Convention 
to be holden at Portland next month. 

April, 1795, on the question whether the town is in 
favor of having the Counties of York, Cumberland and 
Lincoln formed into a separate State, agreeably to the 
address of the Portland Convention, there were 75 votes 
in favor, and 2 against a separation. 1797, on the ques- 
tion of a division of the State, the votes were 86 in favor, 
and 1 against. 

But in the lapse of years, the views and feelings of the 
people in Winthrop underwent a great change. For 
when the question was taken at a meeting of the town 
in April, 1807, the vote in favor of becoming a separate 
State, was 36, and against it 86. 

May, 1816, the votes for the separation were 77, and 
against it 81. In Sept., the same year, the votes were, 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 55 

in favor, 76, against a separation, 100. Andrew Wood 
and Joseph. Metcalf were cliosen delegates to the Con- 
vention on the division of the State. 

May, 1819, the town voted that the Selectmen be in- 
structed to petition the Legislature in favor of a separa- 
tion of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper, 
at their next session. The votes in favor of separation 
69, and 45 against it. The town sent the following pe- 
tition to the Legislature : 

" To the Honorable Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General 
Court assembled, on the fourth Wednesday of May, 1819. 
The undersigned, inhabitants of the town of Winthrop, 
respectfully represent that, they view the separation of 
Maine from Massachusetts proper, as one of those events, 
which in the course of things, will ere long take place. 
Massachusetts is an anomaly in the Union — a State 
whose territory is disjoined and disconnected, by the in- 
tervening territory of another State. In a State consti- 
tuted of territory thus situated, the interests of the differ- 
ent sections will often become different, and in some cases, 
actually at variance with each other. Such we believe 
has often been the case with Massachusetts and Maine. 
But Maine is now so far advanced in wealth and popula- 
tion, that she is well able to support a government for 
herself. The present quiet state of the public mind on 
subjects of a party nature is peculiarly favorable to the 
formation and establishment of a constitution and govern- 
ment founded on those principles, which have been sanc- 
tioned by the wisdom and experience of our most enlight- 
ened statesmen. Add to this the peculiar situation of 



5Q 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 



the District of Maine, bordering to the north and to the 
east upon two powerful foreign Provinces, and presenting 
to the south an extended seaboard, exposed, in time of 
^var, to hostile invasion, while, in times of peace, a local 
government would most efficiently promote the public 
welfare of the inhabitants of Maine. In time of war, it 
would be desirable, even in a national point of view, 
that there should be a local government within the Dis- 
trict, able and willing to command the resources of the 
country, to direct the energy of the inhabitants, and vig- 
ilantly to watch over the general safety. So far as we 
have been able to inform ourselves, the decided opin- 
ion among the people of Maine seems to be, that the time 
for the separation has now arrived ; that a further contin- 
uance of our present political connection would only be 
productive of increasing jealousy and discontent; and 
instead of being mutually advantageous, would prove 
alike injurious and vexatious to both. 

The undersigned, therefore, respectfully pray, that the 
Legislature Avould take the subject into their considera- 
tion, and give their assent to the separation, on such terms 
and conditions, as shall be honorable to Massachusetts, 
and just and equitable to Maine. And as in duty bound, 
will ever pray." 

1819. Alexander Belcher and Daniel Campbell, were 
Delegates to the Convention for forming a Constitution 
for Maine. 

AGAINST MONOPOLY. 

The following extract from the records of the town will 
be viewed as a curiosity in legislation: " Agreeably to 
the powers given to us, the subscribers, Selectmen and 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 57 

Committee of correspondence of tlie town of Winthrop, 

by an act, [probably of the General Court,] entitled an 

act to prevent monopoly and oppression, have thought 

fit to set the following prices on the following articles, 

which are to be the prices until the 1st day of March, 

1778. 

Farming labor, in the summer season, 3s. per day, and 

found as usual, and so in proportion at all other seasons 

of the year. 

Tradesmen and mechanics in usual proportion with 

farming labor. 

Good merchantable wheat, at 6s 8d per bushel. 

Good merchantable rye at 5s pet bushel, after rye har- 
vest, and 5s 4d till rye harvest. 

Good Indian at 4s per bushel. 

Good sheep's wool at 2s per lb. 

Good pork, well fatted and of a good quality, fresh at 5d 
per lb., and salted at 8d per lb. 

Good, well fatted grass fed beef at 3d per lb., and good 
stall fed beef at 4d per lb. 

Raw hides at 3d per lb. 

Good calf skins at 6d per lb. 

Good merchantable West India rum at 8d per gall. 

Good merchantable New England rum at 5d per gall. 

Good merchantable maple sugar at 8d per lb. 

Good new milk cheese at 7d per lb., and other cheese in 
proportion. 

Good butter at 8d per lb. 

Good merchantable peas at Gs 8d per bushel. 

Good merchantable table beans at 6s per bushel. 



58 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

Good Spanisli potatoes, in the fail of tlie year, at Is per 

bushel, and Is 6d per bushel in the spring. 
Tanned hides Is 3d per lb., and curried leather in usual 

proportion. 
Homespun yard-wide linen cloth at 3s per yard. 
Tow cloth, yard-wide, at 2s per yard. 
Mutton, lamb and veal, at 4d per lb. 
Oxen able to perform a good day's work, at 2s per day. 
Horse hire at 3d per mile. 
Good English hay at Is 7d per cwt. (i. e., 31 shillings 

and 8 pence per ton.) 
Meadow hay, in the meadow, 19js per cwt. 
Good merchantable white pine boards at 24s per thousand. 
Good 3-4 inch merchantable white pine boards at 22s per 

thousand. 
Good merchantable hemlock boards at 18s per thousand. 
Good merchantable oats at 2s per bushel. 
Good men's shoes, made of neat's leather of the best kind, 

at 7s 4d per pair. 
Women's shoes, made in the best manner and of the best 

leather, at 5s 4d per pair. 
Good merchantable flax, well dressed, at Is per lb. 
Good tried tallow at 8d per lb. 
Good 3-4 yard wide tow cloth at Is 8d per yard. 
Good yard-wide flannel cloth at 3s per yard, and striped 

or checked at 3s 5d per yard. 
Good merchantable tobacco at 8d per lb. 
Woman's labor at 3s per week. 
Making men's shoes at 3s per pair. 
Making women's shoes at 2s 8d per pair. 
Good English turnips at Is per bushel. 
French turnips at Is 4d per bushel. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 59 

Carrots at 2s shillings per bushel. 

Parsnips at 3s per bushel. 

Good vinegar at Is 6d per gall. 

ICHABOD HOW, ) Selectmen of the 

TIMOTHY FOSTER, V town of 

STEPHEN PULLEN, j Winthrop. 

ABRAHAM WYMAN, 1 Committee of 
JOHN CHANDLER, [Correspondence of 
JOSEPH BROWN, ( the town of 
JOSIAH HALL, J Winthrop. 

A true copy. Attest ; JOSIAH HALL, 

May 30, 1777. Town ClerkJ' 

At a meeting, June 19, 1777, Mr. Ichabod How was 
chosen to represent the town in the General Court the 
ensuing year. " He engaged to do all the private bus- 
iness for the town, and to bring 100 wt. of gun powder, 
exclusive of any pay, except his pay as Representative. 
He received the following instructions, viz.: ' To well and 
truly represent the town in every circumstance, and to 
prevent any more drafts in this town, on account of our be- 
ing a frontier town ; to enforce an act entitled to prevent 
monopoly and oppression, and to prevent its being re- 
pealed ; to do all in his power to have the Representatives 
paid by the State ; to provide a sufficient number of arms 
and ammunition for the inhabitants of this town ; and far- 
ther, in a private way, to take all possible pains to pro- 
vide a young gentleman to preach with us three months 
this summer, on probation ; to secure the land that the 
Proprietors promised this town on its being settled ; and 
to stay at Court no longer than is of real necessity, and 
to forward some suitable form of government in this State, 



60 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

which may conduce to the peace and happiness of the 
good people of this State.' " 

The Constitution which the General Court, (i. e. the 
Legislature,) proposed, did not meet the approbation of 
the inhabitants of Winthrop. For at their meeting, April 
20, 1778, they "voted, unanimously, not to accept of a 
form of government sent to this town by the General 
Court." At this meeting, they granted thirty pounds to 
procure clothing for the army ; and to call in all the 
powder delivered out of the town stock, and authorized 
Mr. John Chandler, Town Treasurer, to demand and 
receive it. They manifested their patriotism by exempt- 
ing those who were in the army in the year 1775 from 
paying taxes. They also " voted to make up to the 
widow Taylor one half her husband's wages, upon her 
paying four shillings a bushel for Indian corn and five 
shillings a bushel for rye, reckoning all the grain she has 
had out of this town, and the selectmen are directed to 
buy the grain for her with money from the town Treasury.'* 

Sept. 9, 1779, they adopted the measures of the late 
State Convention regulating prices. They chose Mr. John 
Chandler, Mr. Joseph Baker and Mr. James Craig, a 
committee to petition the General Court to lower the 
State tax. They also instructed the Selectmen to provide 
grain and beef for the soldiers that are in the service with 
Capt. Foster. 

1780, the Committee of Inspection and Safety were 
John Chandler, Squier Bishop, William Whittier, Moses 
Chandler and Nathaniel Stanley. 

" Ap. 10, 1780, James Work, Nathaniel Stanley, James 



HISTORY OF WIXTHROP. 61 

Craig, William Pullen and Jolin Sleeper, were a com- 
mittee to make an average in town respecting service done 
in the war. Voted to hire men into the service this year 
by a rate, when they are sent for by lawful authority. 
Voted to raise three thousand pounds to hire men into 
the service ; and that it shall be assessed and collected 
as soon as may be. Voted to empower the above com- 
mittee to hire the men now sent for, as cheap as they can." 
May 23. " Voted to adopt the new form of government 
as it now stands." 

HAKDSHIPS OF THE EAELY SETTLERS. 

The privations and hardships to which the early settlers 
were subjected, were such as those who have always been 
accustomed to convenient and comfortable habitations 
and well supplied tables, can scarcely form an adequate 
idea of. So great was their destitution of the necessa- 
ries of life, that some of them were, at times, reduced to 
the verge of starvation. Indeed, had it not been for the 
wild animals, the fish, the native fruits, and the milk of 
their cows, some of them would, doubtless, have perished 
for lack of food, when they needed meat, some of the 
more favored ones, would take their guns and kill a 
moose, a deer or a bear, with nearly as much ease, as our 
farmers now go to the pasture and select a sheep for the 
slaughter. But all could not do thus, nor could the 
most favored of them always do it. As a specimen, Na- 
thaniel and Joseph Fairbanks, in the month of February, 
took their guns, snow-shoes and dogs, and started off in 
a western direction, on a hunting excursion. Having 
gone a long distance, the dogs went up a hill and gave 
notice, that they had found game. This hill, they sup- 
4 



62 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

posed to be in what is now tlie town of Leeds. The 
dogs had found a noble moose, which the hunters soon 
killed and dressed. But the day was so far spent, they 
could not return. They therefore buried their meat in 
the snow and camped for the night. The next day they 
took the meat upon handsleds and brought it home. This 
was a valuable prize indeed. The four quarters of that 
moose weighed eight hundred pounds ! 

Mr. Gideon Lambert as wan early settler. He and his 
family had to subsist one season from planting time till 
rye harvest, on milk and herbs. During this time, he fell 
four, and some say six, acres of trees, and prepared them 
for the *' burn" the ensuing spring. He had been a sol- 
dier in the old French and Indian war. He aided in the 
defeat of the British army under the command of Aber- 
crombie, 1758. He also served in the war of the Rev- 
olution, after he came to Pond Town. 

Some families were so destitute of provisions, that one 
at least, by the name of Delano, subsisted, for a time, on 
boiled beach leaves. Others were without bread from 
sowing time till harvest. Some of them had nothing for 
themselves but milk and maple sugar. One neighbor 
sustained the children of another neighbor on skimmed 
milk. A woman said, the day after the birth of a child 
she dined on smoked moose meat and turnip greens. Her 
husband had gone to procure them breadstuff, but was 
gone longer than was expected. She had finished the 
last of their provisions. What could she do? Her 
neighbors could not assist her, for they were in the same 
predicament. She was greatly at a loss what course to 
take to save herself and the child. She adopted this sin- 
gular method. She ate salt ; that made her thirsty, and 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 63 

she drank more, and thus procured nourishment for her 
child, till relief came. The neighbors would hunt in 
company, and share the game between them; because 
there were times in which they could obtain provisions 
so well in no other way. Mr. David Foster, in the month 
of June, was very destitute of food. He went to a brook 
and caught a sucker, which, while it was broiling, gave a 
cheering fi-agrance. He dug up some of the potatoes he 
had planted to eat with his fish ; but he found the fish 
very soft and the potatoes very watery. But they sus- 
tained life. Mr. Squier Bishop came with his family to 
Pond Town in embarrassed circumstances, poor and in 
debt. But though for a season they were greatly strait- 
ened, and at times much disheartened, he at length ac- 
cumulated property sufficient to enable him to pay his 
creditors the amount of their claims. Bev. Mr. Eaton 
once came to " preach the gospel to the poor," and im- 
part the bread of life to these few in the wilderness, 
called on Mr. Bishop's family and found them very desti- 
tute. Mrs. B. went to the pigeon net and obtained a 
competent supply. At another time, Mr. Bishop's fam- 
ily were out of provisions, and none to be had nearer than 
Cobbossee. Mrs. B. spoke to her husband about going to 
procure something for their sustenance. He was much 
discouraged, and said he was so feeble, that he could not 
^et to Cobbossee, and they might as well die where they 
were. But the good woman, not so desponding, resolved 
to see what she could do. " Necessity is the mother of 
invention." She bent up some pins, procured a pole and 
line and bait, and took her babe in her arms and went to 
the pond, which was at no great distance, and soon caught 



64 HISTOKY OF WINTHROP, 

as many fish as site could conveniently carry with her 
child. On returning to the house, she heard a rustling 
in one of the trees, and looking up, saw a raccoon. Now 
what shall she do ? If she called to her husband to come 
with his gun, it would, doubtless, frighten the animal, and 
he would escape ; or if she went and told her husband, 
the game might be gone. Perhaps some good angel sug- 
gested to her the plan ; which was this. She took off 
some of her clothes, and some of the child's, and made 
such an image as she could, and placed it at the foot of 
the tree upon which the animal was, and hastened to the 
house. She said to her husband, " the Lord has sent us 
a 'coon ; take your gun and go and shoot him." He re- 
plied, " he will be gone to Boston before I can get to 
him." "No, he wont; you will find him there. The 
Lord has sent him." Mr. B. took his gun and shot the 
raccoon. They fed upon the meat till Mr. B. recovered 
strength and courage to procure a supply of food. Thus 
providentially their lives were saved. 

There was a time when Jonathan Whiting had grain. 
Several other families had none. Lest the neighbors 
might sufi'er, his wife put the children upon an allowance. 
He, to teach them to be economical in the use of their 
bread, would sell only a limited quantity to any one, lest 
some others might be more needy. The soundness and 
strength of his moral principles were exhibited in another 
way. During this period, approximating a famine, he 
might have had almost any price for his grain. But he 
affixed a reasonable price, and no consideration could in- 
duce him to take any more. 

An aged man, now deceased, wrote me, that he had 
heard one of the first settlers say, he had lived a week at 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 65 

a time on smoked Alewives and milk. At the same time, 
he was under the necessitj'- of laboring hard. 

When Mr. Joseph Fairbanks and wife had five chil- 
dren, they took a journey to Mansfield, Mass., on horse- 
back. The mother became so anxious for her children, 
on their return, that, bad as the roads were, she traveled 
fifty-five miles ! Much as the roads are improved, there 
are few ladies now in this part of the world, who would 
be either able or willing to perform such a day's ride. 
There was a time when this family were reduced to such 
an extremity by the oppressions of a certain man, I was 
about to say, but he appeared more like a brute than a 
man, that they had nothing to eat or wear. She searched 
the house to see if she could find any thing eatable, and 
discovered a quantity of bran. She attempted to knead 
it, but could not make it hold together, even after it was 
backed. They ate it, however, and it sustained life till 
he obtained something better. 

The men had to roam quite a distance in search of their 
game. Mr, Ichabod How, one winter, went into the 
neighborhood of Livermore Falls, on a moose hunt. He 
started three, two males and a female. He followed 
them until they came near the hills, where Mr. Nathan 
Kimball now lives. There was a crust on the snow, 
which bore him, but was not sufiiciently hard to bear the 
moose. They at length became so fatigued, that the old- 
est male turned upon him ; but he was so near that he 
could not discharge his gun at him. So he stepped be- 
hind a tree, as the moose rose upon his hind feet to strike 
him down ; but the tree was so small that the feet of the 
moose brushed his arms as they came down, but without 
hurting him. He found himself now in a perilous condi- 



66 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

tion. The moose, however, went back to the others, and 
Mr. How shot him. By the time Mr. How had re- 
loaded his gun, the younger male came at him, but the 
discharge of his musket, prostrated him. He then felt 
relieved, for he did not fear the other, and soon dispatched 
her. He cut them open, filled them with snow, and 
returned home. The next morning he called on his 
neighbor, Mr. Gideon Lambert, and informed him what 
he had achieved the day before, and offered to give him 
one of the moose, if he would go and help bring them in. 
To this Mr. Lambert readily agreed, and he and his sons 
Ebenezer and Paul, accompanied Mr. How and brought 
home the venison. Thus the families were provided with 
meat. 

Mr. Unite Brown and his son Jeremiah, went to hunt 
for moose late one autumn. By what is called the " Great 
Bog" they found and killed one. But the day was so 
far spent, that they were not able to return. The father 
cut wood, kindled a fire and wrapped his son in the skin 
of the moose, and encamped for the night. The cold 
was such, that the father had often to renew the fire, to 
prevent their freezing. In the morning, the skin was so 
much frozen, that the father had no small difficulty in 
extricating his son from the covering. The children of 
the early settlers, not unfrequently, went barefooted most 
of the winter, if not the whole. They might often be 
seen walking on the frost and snow with naked feet. 

In the winter of 1785, as Capt. Timothy Foster, the 
first settler, was cutting a tree, it fell on his head, and 
fractured his skull so that he became speechless. His 
son, Stewart, went to Falmouth, now Portland, on snow 
shoes, for a physician. But he could not leave, and 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP 67 

sent a trepan, doubtless with some instructions how to 
use it. On the return of the son, the indented part of 
the skull was raised, and Capt. Foster roused up and 
spoke rationally. But so long a time had elapsed, the 
inflammation had proceeded so far that he died. His 
remains were interred near where Dea. Metcalf lived. 

A man by the name of Fish, came from Port Royal, 
now Livermore, to Mr. Nathaniel Fairbanks' to obtain 
some leather. It was growing so late in the day, and 
there being no road, and only spotted trees for a guide, 
he was urged to spend the night ; but he could not be 
prevailed upon to stay. He took two bundles of leather 
and left, and perished on his way. 

A Mr. Dutton, a hunter, had a line of traps on the 
streams and ponds up toward the Androscoggin River. 
He had been out examining them, and night overtook 
him ere he was aware, and he lost his way. He began to 
call for help, hoping he might be within hearing of some 
habitation. Mrs. Bishop thought she heard a voice. 
Her husband doubted it. She insisted that she heard 
a human voice. At length he went out and listened, and 
became convinced there was some one needing assistance. 
Mr. Bishop called, and the man answered. He then 
went and brought him into his house. All habitations, 
though but log cabins, and all tables, were open and 
free. All were neighbors and brothers. The spirit of 
caste found no place among the early settlers. 

The wife of Samuel Wood, Esq., was fond of referring 
to their early poverty. The first pig they ever owned, 
she paid for by spinning linen. 



68 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

The early settlers did not cultivate their farms as 
much as would have been for their interest. Too many 
of them went largely into the business of lumbering, and 
depended upon that to procure their bread and other 
provisions from Boston, or some other place in the vicinity. 
After the war commenced in 1 775, and the British cruisers 
were hovering on the coast, their supplies were cut off. 
In the spring of 1776, they were in a very destitute 
condition. Their scanty stock of provisions was nearly 
exhausted. How to obtain a supply, became a momentous 
question. The inhabitants of the town were requested to 
meet for consultation on the subject. They decided to 
charter a small vessel and send to Boston, for provisions. 
This was an entcrprize of no small danger. But they 
hoped, that, by keeping near the shore, they might avoid 
the large British vessels. Through the good hand of 
God upon them, their little craft performed the voyage, 
and safely returned with a cargo of provisions. These 
were distributed among the people. From them, through 
the blessing of God, they derived strength and courage 
to put an abundance of seed into the ground. The next 
year, they had bread and meat in plenty. They thus 
learned an important lesson. Henceforth they cultivated 
their farms ; God smiled upon them, and they had a full 
supply. 

Such was the scarcity of money in 1784 or 1785, a 
man who had occasion to borrow five dollars, could not 
obtain it. Some of his neighbors had accumulated 
considerable property, had a good stock of cattle, but 
had no money. Such was the depreciation of the currency 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 69 

about this time, that Col. Simon Page sold a pair of oxen 
for ninety-eight hundred dollars! The real value, in 
present currency, was about seventy dollars. 

The people were, at times, somewhat terrified by the 
Indians, as they passed, in their hunting excursions, from 
the Kennebec to the Androscoggin rivers. But it does 
not appear that they did them any other injury. A party 
once came to Mr, John Fuller's, when he was absent, and 
Mrs. Fuller and two children had no others with them. 
The Indians had "fire-water" with them, and began to 
drink. This produced considerable alarm. But they 
delivered up all their knives to her, and charged her to 
keep them, till they became sober. They did this to 
allay her fears, telling her, they were afraid they should 
hurt one another. They were certainly much more 
considerate than many who claim to be greatly their 
superiors. 

Other instances of suffering there doubtless were, could 
all the facts be known. Some of them might be even 
more grievous than any here related. These are given 
as a specimen. Well may they awaken, in the present 
inhabitants, the gratitude they owe the Allwise Disposer 
of events, for having provided so much " better things for 
them." 

PATEIOTISM. 

The inhabitants of Winthrop gave early indications of 
a becoming jealousy for their rights. They would not 
tamely suffer the mother country to trample upon them. 

At a meeting of the town, Jan. 12, 1773, appointed in 
part, " to hear a pamphlet sent from the town of Boston, 



70 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

in which the rights and charter privileges are maintained, 
and instances wherein they think they are infringed [by 
the mother country ;] with a letter corresponding with 
other towns." *' Said pamphlet being several times read, 
considered, and deliberately weighed, it was proposed to 
the town, 1st. Whether the rights of the Colonists were 
rightly stated in the pamphlet ? Passed in the affirmative. 

2dly. Whether the several acts of Parliament and 
measures of the Administration pointed out, are subversive 
of those rights ? Passed in the affirmative. 

3dly. Whether it be not a matter of the greatest impor- 
tance to us, that we stand firm and united, as stated in 
said pamphlet ? Passed in the affirmative. 

4thly. It was proposed that the matter of these our 
grievances be transmitted and referred to the consideration 
of the Representatives of our General Assembly, for the 
redress of our grievances, and the recovering of our charter 
privileges ? Passed in the affirmative. 

Voted, that a copy of the foregoing proceedings be 
attested by the Clerk, and directed to William Cooper, 
Town Clerk of Boston."^* 

In the warrant for a town meeting to be held Aug. 30, 
1773, "the 1st article was to hear and proceed upon as 
the town shall think proper, a pamphlet, the substance 
of which contains the copy of letters sent to Great Britain 
by his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson, the Honorable 
Andrew Oliver, and several other persons, together with 
the Eesolves of the House of Representatives, and several 
other papers ; all sent to this town from the Committee 

* To^vn Records. The pamphlet is not to be found. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 71 

of Correspondence of the town of Boston." At this 
meeting these papers "were read in part," but no 
record aj^pears of any action being taken at that time. 

Unwilling that any encroachments should be made upon 
their imprescriptible rights, and determined to have their 
liberties secured; at a town meeting, Jan. 25, 1775, 
Ichabod How was chosen to represent the town in a 
Provincial Congress, to be holden at Cambridge, the 
first day of Feb., 1775. They then proceeded to choose 
" military officers to discipline the inhabitants, agreeably 
to the directions of the Provincial Congress." 
Ichabod How, Captain, 
Jonathan "Whiting, Lieutenant, 
Timothy Foster, Ensign, 
Josiah Hall, Clerk, 
Elias Taylor, 1st Sergeant, 
Gideon Lambert, 2d Sergeant, 
John Blunt, 3d Sergeant, 
Zebedee Delano, 4th Sergeant, 
Eiiphalet Foster, 1st Corporal, 
Amos Stevens, 2d Corporal, 
Samuel Stevens, 3d Corporal, 
Daniel Dudley, 4th Corporal." 

Ready to defend their inalienable rights in the true 
spirit of warriors, they "Voted to raise £13 6s. 8d., 
lawful money, to be immediately assessed and paid into 
the Treasury by the last day of March, next, to purchase 
a town stock of powder, lead and other necessaries." 
The town paid Mr. How £5 6s. 8d. lawful money, for his 
expenses in going to the Provincial Congress, and bring- 
ing the town's stock of ammunition. The times were 
now becoming very alarming, exciting and trying. 



72 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

The war of the Revolution commenced. April 19tli 
of this year, the battle at Lexington was fought. The 
report of th;s aroused the spirit of the young men of 
Winthrop. Not long after, Nathaniel Fairbanks, (known 
for many years after as Col. Fairbanks,) and eighteen 
other young men repaired to the head-quarters of the 
Provincial army, at Cambridge, " to defend their beloved 
country." Of these eighteen, four were sons of the first 
settler, Capt. Timothy Foster ; Billy, Eliphalet, Thomas 
and John, who went a privateering, and did not return to 
reside in Winthrop. Elijah Fairbanks was another. 
The names of the others are not known. Nathaniel 
Fairbanks was afterwards in the Regiment under the 
command of Arnold, of infamous memory, on an expedi- 
tion to Canada. But becoming short of provisions, that 
part of the Regiment to which young Fairbanks belonged, 
were ordered to return. 

The country being involved in an unrighteous war, the 
new settlements were much exposed. Their utmost 
efforts were put forth to provide for the security of 
themselves and the public. They viewed their own 
welfare to be identified with that of their country. At 
their meeting, March 17, 1775, they chose Jonathan 
Whiting, Joseph Stevens and Ichabod How a " Committee 
of Correspondence to meet the committees of other towns 
in the neighborhood, to consult for the good and safety 
of this eastern country." This was done in compliance 
with a letter received from Falmouth. The 29th of April, 
they held another meeting, and "chose John Chandler, 
William Armstrong and Ichabod How a Committee of 
Safety to meet the committees of other towns in the 



HISTOET OP WINTHROP. 73 

county ,to consult the public good respecting coming 
into some way of procuring provisions and ammunition, 
and other necessary stores, and that said Committee 
engage, in behalf of the town, any sum of money they 
may think proper for such purpose." The constables 
were directed " to pay into the hands of the Committee of 
Safety the money by them gathered for the Province tax." 

" Mar., 1776, chose Ichabod How, Joseph Stevens and 
Jonathan Whiting a Committee of Correspondence, In- 
spection and Safety. For officers in the Militia, Billy 
Foster, Captain, William Whittier, first Lieut., Josiali 
Hall, second Lieut., and Benjamin Fairbanks, Ensign." 
Who the other officers were, the record does not say. 
Then follows a copy of the Declaration of Independence, 
adopted by Congress, July 4, 1776. It was entered upon 
the records of the town by order of Congress, and a 
printed copy sent to the ministers of each parish of every 
denomination, " who were severally required to read the 
same to their respective congregations, as soon as divine 
service was ended in the afternoon, on the first Lord's 
day after they shall have received it." Ministers were 
not then as much afraid of having any connection with 
politics as some have been since. 

The men of Winthrop seemed hearty in the cause of 
the Revolution. They were ready to adopt the closing 
sentiments of the Declaration, and " with a firm reliance 
on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually 
pledge each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred 
honor." 

Jan. 15, 1777, Joseph Baker, Rainsford Smith and 
Amos Stevens were added to the Committee of Corres- 
pondence, Inspection and Safety. March 1 0, 1777, Lieut. 
4* 



74 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

Abraham Wyman, Lieut. John Chandler, Mr. William 
Whittier, Mr. Joseph Brown and Josiah Hall were chosen 
a Committee of Safety, Correspondence and Inspection. 
April 21, 1777, Mr. Ichabod How was chosen Delegate 
to a County Convention to be holden at Wiscasset. " He 
was instructed to do all he can to hinder the Convention 
from sending any remonstrances to the Great and General 
Court, against their taxing this State ; and if the Con- 
vention get a vote to send any, to join with the disaffected 
part of the Convention and remonstrate to the Court 
against the proceedings of the Convention ; and if there 
is any other business of consequence, to act his judgment 
as he shall think proper for the good of the County and 
public." 

HONOEABLE CONFESSION. 

" Winthrop, Jan. 29, 1777. 

Whereas the subscribers, by declaring ourselves Friends 

to the King of Britain and talking against the cause of 

the United States, have given cause of uneasiness to our 

neighbors and townsmen, for which we are heartily sorry, 

for being now sensible that we were much out of the 

way and humbly ask the forgiveness of our townsmen 

and neighbors, and hereby renounce the said King of 

Britain and all his laws as unjust, and promise to be 

good subjects of the States of America for the future. 

JAMES CRAIG, 

ROBERT WAUGH. 
Witness, ICHABOD HOW. 

A true copy. Attest : JOSIAH HALL, T. ClerV 

In the warrant for a town Meeting to be held May 30, 
1777, the 2d article was " to consider the list the Selectmen 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 75 

may lay before the town, of the names of persons whom 
they know or believe to be inimically disposed towards 
this State, or any other of the States of America, and to 
act thereon as the town shall see fit ; and to choose a 
man to procure and lay the evidence that maybe had before 
the Court, in order to support the charges against them.'* 
The town records contain no account of any action on 
this subject. But, May 6, 1783, their ardent patriotism 
was expressed by voting, " that the refugees and declared 
traitors to the United States of America, ought to be for 
ever excluded from returning among us." 

June 19, 1780, *'Mr. Jonathan Whiting was chosen a 
Delegate to represent the town at a County Convention 
to be held at Wiscasset, in order to apportion the abate- 
ment of the State tax on the several towns in said County 
of Lincoln." Here the town Clerk's ink became so pale 
that the record is illegible. The next proceeding was, 
*' Voted to procure 74 lbs. powder, 250 lbs. of lead and 
250 flints, and that Mr. Chandler, (who was town Treas- 
urer,) borrow money and give the town's security for 
one to buy the above articles ; and the Selectmen were 
authorized to procure them." 

Feb. 2, 1781, the town "^ voted to join Vassalborough 
and other neighboring towns in petitioning the General 
Court for some abatement of taxes laid on us ; and that 
Jonathan Whiting, Benjamin Brainerdand Josiah French 
be a committee to meet the committees of the neighboring 
towns and to agree with them on the proper measures to 
effect the desired purpose." 

The records contain a warrant for a town meeting, 
May 7, 1781, but no account of what was done. August 



76 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

17, 1781, they "voted to procure 2856 lbs. of beef, 
agreeably to a resolve of the General Court, and that 
John Sleeper be employed to procure it." They also 
*' voted to procure 12 shirts, 12 pairs of stockings and 
12 pairs of shoes ; the price of the shirts 12 shillings, 
the stockings 8 shillings and shoes 9 shillings." They 
appropriated £100 silver money to procure the beef and 
clothing. They agreed to have this sum assessed forth- 
with, and to have it paid into the Treasury " by the middle 
of Octo. next." For services done the town, they allowed 
William Pullen 630 paper dollars, James Work 1365 
paper dollars, John Sleeper £1 2s. 8d. lawful money, 
Samuel Comings one bushel of rye, and to Jonathan 
Whiting £2 8s. lawful money." 

Sept., 1837, they "Voted, that it is the sense of this 
town that Texas ought not to be annexed to this Union ; 
and that the Selectmen forward a copy of this vote to our 
Representatives in Congress." Upon a resolve of the 
Legislature proposing to amend the Constitution relating 
to bail, there were 23 yeas and 83 nays. 

At a meeting of the town, SejDt., 1808, " Dudley Todd, 
Esq., Dea. Joseph Metcalf, Nathaniel Fairbanks, Esq., 
Samuel Wood, Esq., and Major Elijah Wood, were 
apppointed to draft a petition to the President of the 
United States to suspend the operation of the Embargo 
laws, in part or in whole, as shall be most conducive to 
the well being of said States in their present distressed 
and embarrassed condition." The committee retired, 
prepared a petition, which the town accepted, and in- 
structed the Selectmen to transmit it to the President 
immediately. They also instructed " their Representa- 



HISTORY OF WmTHROP. 77 

tive to the General Court to use his utmost endeavors to 
have such Electors of President and Vice President 
chosen as shall embrace those ideas that the good people 
of this Commonwealth entertained under the Administra- 
tion of Washington." 

POLITICS. 

Something of the politics of the town may be understood 
from the votes given for the public officers. I find no 
record of votes for State or County officers till April, 
1783, when his Excellency John Hancock received 15 
votes and his Excellency James Bowdoin 1 vote for Gov- 
ernor. His Honor Artemas Ward had 1 5 votes for Lieut. 
Governor. William Howard had 23 votes for Senator. 

1784, James Bowdoin, Esq., had 12 votes and John 
Hancock, Esq., 7 votes for Governor. Thomas Gushing 
had 15 votes and Artemas Ward 1 vote for Lieutenant 
Governor. 

1785, Hon. Thomas Gushing had 11 votes and Hon. 
James Bowdoin 12 votes for Governor. Hon. Tristam 
Dalton had 15 votes and Hon. Thomas Gushing 9 votes 
for Lieut. Governor. Hon. William Lithgow had 23 
votes for Senator. 

1786, Hon. Thomas Gushing had 30 votes and Artemas 
Ward, Esq., 4 votes for Governor. Charles Gushing, 
Esq., had 2 votes and Artemas Ward 32 votes for Lieut. 
Governor. 

1 787, John Hancock had 43 votes for Governor. Thomas 
Gushing had 21 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1788, John Hancock had 40 votes and Elbridge Gerry 



78 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

2 votes for Governor. Nathaniel Gorham had 30 votes 
and James Warren 8 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1789, John Hancock had 51 votes for Governor. Samuel 
Adams had 40 votes and Benjamin Lincoln 1 vote for 
Lieut. Governor. 

1 790, John Hancock had 45 votes for Governor. Samuel 
Adams had 44 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1791, John Hancock had 69 votes for Governor. Samuel 
Adams had 60 votes for Lieut. Governor. Geo. Thatcher, 
Esq., had 40 votes and William Lithgow, Jr., 24 votes 
for Federal Representative.* 

1792, John Hancock had 55 votes for Governor. Samuel 
Adams had 41 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1793, John Hancock had 44 votes for Governor. Samuel 
Adams had 45 votes for Lieut. Governor. Peleg Wads- 
worth had 52 votes for Representative to Congress. 

1794, Samuel Adams had 48 votes and Stephen Pullen 
4 votes for Governor. Nathaniel Gorham had 20 votes 
Moses Gill 5, James Sullivan 3, James Bowdoin 1 and 
Stephen Pullen 1 vote for Lieut. Governor. Daniel 
Coney had 42 votes, Dummer Sewall 7, Nathaniel Dum- 
mer 9 and Samuel Thompson 30 votes for Senator. 

1795, Samuel Adams had 55 votes for Governor. 
Moses Gill had 57 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1796, Samuel Adams had 59 votes and Increase Sum- 
ner, Esq., 85 votes for Governor. Moses Gill had 37 
votes and Increase Sumner 15 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1797, James Sullivan had 60 votes, Increase Sumner 

*Tliis year the town was di\ided by the incorporation of Read- 
field. 



HISTORY OP WmTHROP. 79 

15 and Moses Gill 3 votes for Governor. Increase Sum- 
ner had 25 votes, Moses Gill 12, James Sullivan 3, 
Nathaniel Gorham 2 and James Bowdoin 1 vote for 
Lieut. Governor. 

1798, Increase Sumner had 59 votes for Governor. 
Moses Gill had 29 votes, Thomas Dawes 4 and Thomas 
Dawes, Jr., 8 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1799, William Heath, Esq., had 60 votes and Increase 
Sumner 45 votes for Governor. James Bowdoin had 41 
votes Moses Gill 36 and William Heath 3 votes for Lieut. 
Governor. 

1800, Caleb Strong, Esq., had 74 votes, Elbridge 
Gerry 34, Moses Gill 4 and John Blunt 4 votes for 
Governor. Nathaniel Wells, Esq., had 60 votes, Moses 
Gill 1 1 and William Heath 5 votes for Lieut. Governor. 
Peleg Wadsworth, Esq., had 22 votes and John Chandler, 
Esq., 11 votes for Representative to Congress. 

1801, Caleb Strong had 77 votes, Elbridge Gerry 3 and 
Samuel Phillips 2 votes for Governor. Samuel Phillips 
had 59 votes and William Heath 30 votes for Lieutenant 
Governor. 

1802, Caleb Strong had 70 votes and Elbridge Gerry 
22 votes for Governor. Edward H. Robbins had 50 votes 
and William Heath 20 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1803, C. Strong had 85 votes, C Strong 5, Gov. 

Strong 1, Elbridge Gerry 17, E Gerry 46, James 

Bowdoin 59 and Edward Howard Robbins 95 votes for 
Governor. 

1804, Caleb Strong had 86 votes and James Sullivan 
80 votes for Governor. William Heath had 80 votes and 
Edward H. Robbins 74 votes for Lieut. Governor. 



80 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

1805, C. Strong had 97 votes and James Sullivan 71 
votes for Governor. Edward H. Robbins had 84 votes 
and William Heath 68 votes for Lieut. Governor. Na- 
thaniel Fairbanks had 91 votes, Nathan "Weston 73 and 
James Bridge 1 vote for Senator. 

1806, C. Strong had 117 votes and James Sullivan 63 
votes for Governor. Edward H. Robbins had 103 votes, 
William Heath 64 and James Bridge 1 vote for Lieut. 
Governor. James Bridge had 103 votes and Thomas 
Fillebrown 68 votes for Senators. 

1807, C. Strong had 112 votes, James Sullivan 67 
and Elbridge Gerry 1 vote for Governor. Edward H. 
Robbins had 105 votes and Levi Lincoln 69 votes for 
Lieut. Governor. 

1808, Christopher Gore, Esq., had 125 votes, James 
Sullivan 57, William Eaton 5 and David Cobb 2 votes 
for Governor. David Cobb had 120 votes and Levi Lin- 
coln 55 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1809, C. Gore had 151 votes, Levi Lincoln 56 and 
John Q. Adams 2 votes for Governor. David Cobb had 
142 votes, Levi Lincoln 1 and Joseph B. Varnum 58 
votes for Lieut. Governor. Thomas Riel, Esq., had 122 
votes, Joshua Cushman 58 and Nathaniel Dummer 24 
votes for Senators. 

1810, C. Gore had 123 votes and E. Gerry 74 votes for 
Governor. D. Cobb had 113 votes and William. Gray 
73 votes for Lieut. Governor. Samuel S. Wilde had 118 
votes and Joshua Cushman 63 votes for Senators. 

1811, E. Gerry had 75 votes for Governor. C. Gore 
had 105 votes, William Phillips 94 and William Gray 
76 votes for Lieut. Governor. 



HISTORY OF WmTHROP. 81 

1812, C, Strong had 150 votes and E. Gerry 92 votes 
for Governor. W. Phillips had 149 votes and William 
King 79 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1813, C. Strong 1^3 votes and Joseph B. Varnum 75 
votes for Governor. W. Phillips had 159 votes and W. 
King 65 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1814, C. Strong had 150 votes and Samuel Dexter 82 
votes for Governor. "William Phillips had 136 votes and 
William Gray 73 votes for Lieut. Governor. 

1815, His Excellency Caleb Strong had 153 votes and 
Samuel Dexter 79 votes for Governor. 

1816, Gen. John Brooks had 153 votes and Hon. 
Samuel Dexter 93 votes for Governor. 

1817, His Excellency John Brooks, Esq., had 142 votes 
and Gen. Henry Dearborn, Esq., 72 votes for Governor- 

1818, His Excellency John Brooks had 122 votes and 
Benjamin Crowningshield, Esq., 59 votes for Governor. 

1819, His Excellency John Brooks had 132 votes and 
Benjamin Crowningshield, Esq., 59 votes for Governor. 

1820, This year Maine became a State. Hon. Wm. 
King had 79 votes, Hon. Sam^icl- S. Wilde 9, Ezekiel 
Whitman, Esq., 5 and Elijah Davenport 1 vote for 
Governor. 

1821, Hon. Ezekiel Whitman had 95 votes, Hon. 
Albion K. Parris 31 and John Cushman, Esq., 14 votes 
for Governor. 

1822, Albion K. Parris had 98 votes and Ezekiel 
Whitman 94 votes for Governor. 

1823, Albion K. Parris had 147 votes for Governor. 

1824, Albion K. Parris had 123 votes for Governor. 

1825, Albion K. Parris had 58 votes and Joshua Cush- 
man 4 votes for Governor. 



82 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

1826, Enoch Lincoln had 51 votes and Ezekied Whit- 
man 26 votes for Governor. 

1827, Enoch Lincoln had 96 votes for Governor. 
Nathan Cutler had 111 votes, Rdv. Joshua Cushman 
108, Reuel Williams 99, Sandford Kingsbury 59, Edward 
Fuller 40 and Joel Wellington 23 votes for Senators. 

1832, Daniel Goodenow had 137 votes, Samuel E. 
Smith 79 and Moses Carlton 22 votes for Governor. Rev. 
Eliakim Scammon had 240 votes, Jonathan G. Hunton 
238, Timothy Boutelle 239, Alfred Marshall 80, Moses 
Springer, Jr., 79 and Stillman Howard 80 votes for 
Senators. 

1837, Edward Kent had 284 votes and Gorham Parks 
93 votes for Governor. 

1839, Edward Kent had 201 votes and John Fairfield 
107 votes for Governor. 



HISTORY OF WmTHROP. 82 1-4 

Votes for Governor continued from the preceding page 
to the present year, 1855. 

1840, Edward Kent had 305 votes and John Fairfield 
102 votes for Governor. 

1841, Edward Kent had 243 votes, John Fairfield 113 
Jeremiah Curtis 40 and Scattering 3 votes for Governor. 

1842, Edward Robinson had 166 votes, John Fairfield 
97, James Appleton 84 and Scattering 2 votes for Gov- 
ernor. 

1843, Edward Robinson had 157 votes, Hugh J. An- 
derson 84, James Appleton 66 and Scattering 13 votes 
for Governor. 

1844, Edward Robinson had 24'6 votes, Hugh J. An- 
derson 94, James Appleton 68 and Scattering 1 vote for 
Governor. 

1845, Freeman H. Morse had 171 votes, Hugh J. An- 
derson 64, Samuel Fessenden 62 and Scattering 3 votes 
for Governor. 

1846, David Bronson had 203 votes, John W. Dana 
69, Samuel Fessenden 69 and Scattering 3 votes for 
Governor. 

1847, David Bronson 98 votes, John W. Dana 37, 
Samuel Fessenden 41 and Scattering 1 vote for Governor. 

1848, Elijah L. Hamlin had 136 votes, John W. Dana 
60 and Samuel Fessenden 165 votes for Governor. 

1849, Elijah L. Hamlin had 145 votes, John Hubbard 
59 and Geo. F. Talbot 68 votes for Governor. 

1850, William G. Crosby had 159 votes, John Hub- 
bard 83 and Geo. F. Talbot 84 votes for Governor. 

1851, No Election. 

1852, William G. Crosby had 173 votes, John Hub- 



82 1-2 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

bard 178, Anson G. Chandler 84 Ezekiel Holmes 20 and 
Scattering 1 vote for Governor. 

1853, William G. Crosby had 160 votes, Albert Pills- 
bury 111, Ezekiel Holmes 70, Anson P. Morrill 15 and 
Scattering 1 vote for Governor. 

1854, Anson P. Morrfll had 217 votes, Isaac Reed 134 
and Albion K. Parris 106 votes for Governor. 

1855, Anson P. Morrill had 282 votes, Samuel Wells 
141, Isaac Heed 94 and Scattering 1 vote for Governor. 



i 



CHAPTER V. 

Standard of weights and measures — pounds — warning out of town 
— manufactures — Banks. 

" A standard of weights and measures, by order of 
the Selectmen, were provided for the town by Mr. Ben- 
jamin Fairbanks, in the year 1783, and delivered to 
Nathaniel Fairbanks, Sealer of weights and measures ; 
consisting of 1 half bushel, 1 peck, 1 half peck, 1 gallon, 
1 quart, 1 fpint, 1 half pint, gill, 1 half gill, 1 ell, 1 
yard, 2 pair of scales with steel beams, 1 four pound, 1 
two ponud, 1 one pound, 1 two ounce, 1 one ounce, 1 
half ounce, 1 quarter of an ounce weight. 
Attest: NATHANIEL FAIRBANKS, 

Town ClerV 

May, 1789, "Voted to build 2 pounds 30 feet square 
of sawed timber and cedar posts, one to be set at the east 
end of Joel Chandler's homestead, the other near the 
head of the mill pond on Joshua Bean's land, both to be 
completed by the 1st of May next. Capt. William 
Whittier bid off the north pound for £2 17s., and with 
hewn timber if he chose. Amos Stevens bid off the 
south pound for £2 17s., to be built to the acceptance of 
the Selectmen for the time being." 



84 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

A law, requiring the authorities of towns to warn per- 
sons, who came into a town to reside without the consent 
of the town, to depart out of it, began to be put in force 
jn 1789, as follows : 

" LINCOLN, SS. To Henry Wyman, Constable of the 
town of Winthrop, GREETING. 

[L. S.] You are, in the name of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, directed to warn and give notice unto Sarah 
Follet, in the aforesaid County, the wife of James Follet 
of Hallowell, who has lately come into this town for the 
purpose of abiding therein, not having obtained the town's 
consent therefor, that she depart the limits thereof, with 
her children, within fifteen days ; and of this precept with 
your doings thereon, you are to make return into the 
office of the clerk of the town within twenty days next 
coming, that such further proceedings may be had in the 
premises as the law directs. 

Given under our hand and seal at Winthrop aforesaid, 

this 12th day of Octo., 1789. 

JOHN HUBBARD, ) Selectmen 
SAM'L WOOD, j of Winthropr 

" LINCOLN, SS. Octo. 21, 1789. 

This day by virtue of the within warrant, I have given 
the within named Sarah Follet with her children notice 
to depart out of the limits of the town of Winthrop within 
fifteen days, as the law directs. 

HENRY WYMAN, Constable, 
A true copy, Attest : JOHN HUBBARD, 

T. ClerV' 

The same day, " Catharine Scoot was warned to leave 
town." 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 85 

*'• LINCOLN, SS. To Squier Bishop, Constable of 
Wintlirop, GREETING. 

[L. S.] You are, in the name of the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts, directed to warn and give notice unto 
John Clark, Fiddler, a transient person, who has lately 
come into this town for the purpose of abiding therein, 
not having obtained the town's consent therefor, that he 
depart the limits thereof within fifteen days. 

Given under our hands this seventh day of Mar., 1792. 

NATHANIEL FAIRBANKS, ) ^ 7 . 
SAMUEL WOOD, / Selectmen. 

Report says Mr. Bishop once warned a j^an off of God's 
earth. Perhaps this was the man ; for who has less claim 
to a dwelling on the earth than a traveling fiddler .^ The 
man says, "Where shall I go?" "Go?" says Mr. 
Bishop, "go to Wayne ! " 

MANUFACTURES AND MECHANICS. 

During the last war with Great Britain, a Copperas 
mine, near the western shore of the Great Pond, was 
worked for a season. A very substantial Spruce Yellow 
was also obtained, with which some buildings were 
painted. But after the close of the war, the price of 
copperas became so low, that the works were abandoned. 

Messrs. Moses & Charles M. Bailey have an Oil Cloth 
Carpet Manufactory in the eastern part of the town, 
where they manufacture and sell annually some 8200,000 
worth of their goods. 

Messrs. Robbins & Hay ward erected a building for the 
manufacture of Oil Cloth Carpeting, to be operated by 
5 



gg HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

steam, in 1854, and commenced operations in Jan., 1855. 

Messrs. Craigs established a Manufactory for making 
window-blinds, sasbes, &c., in 1854, and are doing 
considerable in that line. 

There have been craftsmen of various kinds from an 
early period. Mr. Gideon Lambert smote the anvil and 
first wrought the shoes for their oxen and horses. How 
long he labored in that vocation is not known. It was 
not his constant employment ; for he cleared up lands 
and made him a farm. Mr. Moses Chandler was the next 
blacksmith. Then Mr. John Cole followed the business. 
In another part of the town, Dea. Benjamin Perkins, and 
Dea. Luke Perkins and Capt. Asa Fairbanks worked in 
that line. Very many others, at different times, in several 
neighborhoods, have been thus occupied. 

Col. Nathaniel Fairbanks had a Tannery in the neigh- 
borhood of Dea. Metcalf at an early period after the first 
settlement of the town. He afterwards carried on the 
business at the village. Mr. Timothy Foster, Jr., prac- 
ticed the art to some extent in another part of the town. 
Thomas Eastman, Esq., had a tanning establishment 
at East "Winthrop, where considerable is done in that 
department. Capt. Samuel Clark has had the largest 
establishment of the kind, at the village. It is now in 
the hands of his son, Mr. E. Miller Clark. 

The first Shoemaker, was Mr. Ebenezer Davenport, 
who was also somewhat of a hunter. There are several 
pretty extensive Boot and Shoe Manufactories. A con- 
siderable trade in this line is carried on with California. 

Dea. Joseph Metcalf was the first Cabinet and Chair 
maker. Mr. Charles Robbins and Capt. Samuel Benja- 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP, 87 

min, who served an apprenticeship with Dea. Metcalf, 
pursued their trade at the village. Mr. Robbins devoted 
much time to the study of music, and acquired a respect- 
able acquaintance with its theory. Capt. Benjamin 
became a skillful workman. He afterwards engaged with 
Mr. Pitts in constructing horse powers and machines for 
threshing and cleaning grain. Since the loss of his shop 
on the stream by fire, he and his sons have erected another 
near the Railroad station, in which they operate by steam. 

Mr. Paul Sears was probably the first Cooper. Dea 
Charles Harris was of the same craft, in which he con- 
tinued for many years. His son, Mr. Caleb Harris, 
followed the business for several years, and then he 
removed to Mercer. The articles made by the Dea., were 
of superior workmanship, as were those also of his son. 

The House Carpenters have been somewhat numerous. 
Among the earlier ones were Messrs. Nathaniel Morton, 
Nathan Howard, Samuel and John Morrill. 

Messrs. Adin Stanley and his sons, Lemuel and Morrill 
Stanley, have been Wagon and Chaise makers. Their 
carriages are made for durable service. 

A Fulling Mill was built upon the stream by Mr. Cyrus 
Baldwin, in 1791, where the wollen factory now stands. 
Not long after, he sold to Mr. Benjamin Allen, who sold 
to Mr. Liberty Stanley and he to Mr. John Cole. 

A Blacksmith's shop with a trip hammer was estab- 
lished by Mr. Cole. 

Maj. Elijah Wood had a Wrought Iron Nail shop, from 
which the people for a very considerable distance, were 



88 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

supplied with hammered nails. He employed 20 men. 
After this, Mr. Samuel Reed manufactured Cut Nails for 
some years, and then went to Gardiner. 

In 1809, the Winthrop Cotton and Wollen Manufac- 
tory was incorporated, but did not go into operation till 
1814. The building is of brick, eighty feet long, sixty 
feet wide and four stories high, with a basement for a 
machine shop. It has a porch which is sixty feet by 
twenty- three. Their weekly average of cloth is 1500 
yards. 

Since the removal of Mr. Chandler's mills, a Grist 
Mill, two Saw Mills, a Wollen Manufactory and two large 
Shops have been erected, in which Horse Powers, Separ- 
ators, winnowing machines and various other labor saving 
machines have been made. These shops were burnt in 
Feb., 1853. Mr. Luther Whitman has re-built. 

In the year 1806, Nathaniel Perley, a lawyer in Hal- 
lowell, opened a canal from the North Pond, west of the 
stream, upon which he erected a Grist Mill, in which, for 
several years, considerable business was done. But the 
Cotton Manufacturing Company purchased Mr. Perley's 
establishment, and closed the canal. 

Jonathan Whiting had a Mill on the stream south of 
his house. 

Jedediah Prescot, Esq., had a Saw Mill and a Grist 
Mill on the stream passing through the Snell farm. 

Mr. Squier Bishop was the first Innholder in town. 
For a succession of years, town meetings were held at 
his house. His son, Mr. Nathaniel Bishop, succeeded 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 89 

him in the tavern. He erected a store and kept quite an 
assortment of goods. He afterwards traded many years 
at the village. Among the other early store keepers, 
were Mr. John Cole, Maj. Elijah Wood, Capt. Barney 
Haskell, Mr. Joseph Tinkham and Mr. Samuel Holt. 

Mr. John Avery Pitts, a native of this town and an 
inhabitant until a few years past, at the Paris Exhibition 
in France, 1855, received the first premium for his 
Grain Thrasher and Winnower. From the report of the 
trial of this class of machines, we copy the following 
statement : *' Four thrashing machines were tried, and 
six men with flails, to test the difference of the labor. 
Pitt's American thrasher "bore the bell" among them 
all. The six men thrashed 60 litres of wheat in thirty 
minutes, Pitt's machine 740 litres, the English machine 
410, the French machine 250, the Belgian machine 150. 
In these trials of reaping and thrashing machines, America 
stood preeminent, and the effect upon the thousands who 
witnessed their operations was most happy. The prac- 
tical and useful character of our inventions is now highly 
appreciated by the most distinguished men in Europe." 

BANKS. 

The Winthrop Bank was incorporated in 1824, with a 
capital of $50,000. As it did not meet the expectation 
of the Stockholders, after a brief trial, they called in their 
bills and closed the concern. 

The Bank of Winthrop was incorporated in 1853, 
with a capital of 850,000. That has succeeded so well 
that 825,000 have since been added. Charles M. Bailey 
is President, and David Stanley is Cashier. 



CHAPTER YI. 

Education — schools — graduates — doctors — physicians who have 
practiced in "Winthrop — preachers — lawyers. 

EDUCATION". 

Some of the first inhabitants must have had considerable 
instruction in the common schools. Some of the town 
clerks wrote a very handsome, legible hand. Their 
composition was quite respectable. They sometimes 
violated the rules of syntax. They abounded in the use 
of capital letters, as the best writers did in those days. 
Much of their orthography was incorrect. For instance, 

" Voted to Except a Road three Rods wide." were 

*' chosen Committee to enspect The Building of Said 
house." " Eight o'clock in the Four Noon." "Noti- 
fie — servis — leagul — chuse." Some of them spelled 
quite correctly. 

The young children of the early settlers had very small 
advantages to obtain an education. But few families 
came to the place for several years. Some of them had 
not the means to pay for the instruction of their children. 
The tradition is, that the first school was taught by Mr. 
Benjamin Brainerd, in the porch of the house of Mr. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 91 

Benjamin Fairbanks. He had about twelve scholars. 
How long the school continued is not known. This was 
doubtless more than seventy years ago. Mr. Benjamin 
Fairbanks was the next school teacher in his own house. 
Dr. Moses Wing first taught at the Mills, in a room in 
Mr. John Chandler's house. Mr. Phillip Allen also 
instructed there at an early period. 

The first movement in regard to schools on the town 
records, is in the warrant for a meeting, March 14, 1774, 
*' to see if the town will hire schooling this year, and how 
much." The record does not state that the town took 
any action on the subject. The next mention of the 
subject is in the warrant for a meeting, March, 1775, "to 
Roe liov/ much schooling the town will hire, and what 
method the town will take respecting the school." In 
the wanant for a town meeting in March, 1776, was an 
article relating to schools, upon which they " voted not 
to raise any money for a school, nor for preaching, nor to 
defray town charges." The war of the Revolution 
oppressed them. March, 1777, the article in the Avar- 
rant " To see if the town will come into some meas- 
ures to provide a school the year ensuing," was passed 
in the negative. In March, 1782, the town appropriated 
twenty pounds for schooling. The Selectmen were au- 
thorized to divide the schooling according to their dis- 
cretion. 

The town was divided into six school districts by 

accepting the report of a committee appointed for the 
jHirpose, in Dccembei;, 1782. In 1783, and in each of 
the three following years, the town voted to raise thirty 



92 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

pounds, lawful silver money, to support schools. In 1 787, 
they voted to raise fifty pounds, and in 1788 they added 
ten pounds lawful money to the fifty pounds of the last 
year. 

For a number of years the town chose a School Com- 
mittee .of three in each district, and a Collector of the 
money for schooling in each district. Generally, but not 
Invariably, one of the Committee was appointed Collector. 
In 1789, they voted to raise one hundred and sixty pounds 
to build school houses in the several districts. They 
appropriated sixty pounds for schools. 1790, they raised 
one hundred pounds to hire school teachers, and two 
hundred and twenty pounds to finish school houses. 

April, 1791, Readfield was incorporated into a town. 

At the first town meeting after this. Committees were 
chosen for the several school districts, as follows : 

1st district, Benjamin Fairbanks, Timothy Foster and 
Elijah Fairbanks. 

2d district, Stephen Pullen, John Comings and Reuben 
Brainerd. 

3d district, Ebenezer Davenport, Charles Harris and 
James Atkinson. 

4th district, John Chandler, Cyrus Baldwin and Gideon 
Lambert. 

5th district, Phillip Allen, Solomon Stanley and John 
Fuller, 

6th district, Arnold Sweet, Samuel King and Henry 
Stanley. 

1792, thirty-five pounds were raised for the support of 
schools. In 1793, sixty pounds. In 1794, sixty pounds. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 93 

In 1796, three hundred dollars. In 1797, three hundred 
and thirty-three dollars. 

In 1797 or 1798, the interest in having their children 
instructed, became such, in one district, at least, which is 
the Snell district, that after expending their portion of 
the three hundred and thirty-three dollars raised by the ? 
town, individuals subscribed two, five or ten dollars each 
to have the school continued. They were generous 
enough, not to make it a private school, but allowed al 
the scholars in the district to attend, whether their parents 
had subscribed any thing or not. They thus employed 
a teacher by the name of Burgin, a year and nine months. 

In 1800, the town raised four hundred dollars for the 
support of schools. In 1804, six hundred dollars. In 
1807, seven hundred dollars. The same sum was raised 
annually for many years. 

April, 1807, "Samuel Wood, Dudley Todd, Esqrs., 
Capt, Hushai Thomas and Rev. David Thurston were 
appointed the School Committee, and were also requested 
to draw a plan for the instruction of the youth in said 
town and report at the next town meeting, if they should 
be of opinion that they can make any improvement of the 
present plan of schooling." 

May, 1807, the committee chosen in April, to report 
any improvement in the mode of schooling, offered the 
following : — 

" In our opinion, it would be an improvement, if, in 
all the districts where there are more than 40 scholars, 
no small children, who cannot read in two syllables so as 
to be classed with others, should be admitted into the 
winter schools, and that the teachers in their respective 



94 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

schools should be the judges what scholars are not capable 

of being thus classed ; and in case of any disagreement 

between the school teachers and parents or guardians of 

children, it shall be referred to the School Committee to 

decide. 

SAMUEL WOOD, 

DAVID THURSTON, 

HUSHAI THOMAS, 

DUDLEY TODD. 
May 4, 1807." 

The town accepted the report. 

1822, the town voted to raise six hundred and fifty 
dollars for the support of schools. They continued to 
raise this sum for the support of schools till 1824, when 
they raised seven hundred and ninety dollars. In 1825, 
they raised six hundred and fifty dollars. In 1826, they 
raised seven hundred dollars. In 1828, they raised eight 
hundred dollars. They raised this sum annually, till 
1833, when the interest on the Ministerial Fund was 
appropriated to support primary schools, when they raised 
six hundred and twenty dollars. In 1837, they raised 
six hundred dollars. 

For many years, more than an usual degree of interest 
was manifested by some of the people of Winthrop to 
have their schools answer the valuable design of their 
establishment. The Superintending Committee have been 
at considerable pains to have the money appropriated to 
the purpose of education, judiciously expended. Solicit- 
ous to have no other than suitably qualified teachers 
employed, a sense of duty compelled them, occasionally, 
to withhold the required certificates from applicants. In 



' HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 95 

their visits to the schools, they endeavored to impress 
U23on the minds of the pupils the value of their privileges, 
and their duty to avail themselves of them in laying a 
good foundation for an education. They also sought to 
encourage and stimulate them to be thorough in every 
branch of study to which they attended. Many persons 
suffer all the way through life from being permitted to 
pass over their early studies in a superficial manner. 
Habitually to recite lessons half learned, forms a perni- 
cious habit, which, at length, disqualifies the person for 
ever doing any thing well. 

In their annual reports, which they began quite early to 
make, the Committee labored to present the responsibility 
of parents and district agents in selecting suitable in- 
structors for the rising generation. They were earnestly 
cautioned against the wasteful, insane practice of seeking 
such as could be obtained for a small compensation. 
Much stress was laid on having teachers of sound moral 
principles and correct habits. Parents were urged to 
indefatigable efforts to have the children make the best 
use of their time and opportunities. Notwithstanding 
all the Committee could do, it was sometimes a painful 
task to make a true report of the state of some schools. 
The effect, however, on the schools was highly salutary. 
The Committee had the satisfaction to believe that their 
arduous and self-denying labors were not lost. Their 
schools have had the reputation of being better regulated, 
better instructed, and of having made greater proficiency 
in their studies than in most other places. They have 
not unfrequently heard this opinion from competent 



d^ HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

judges. May they ever maintain a superiority to others 
in intelligence, morality and every good work. 

In addition to the town schools, private schools have 
been kept for a longer or shorter time, in the district at 
the village, in that at East Winthrop and in some oth- 
ers. Of late years, they have sometimes had a quarter's 
schooling in the spring and autumn. A respectable 
number have gone abroad, to different academies and 
schools. So that the outlays for education, beyond the 
legal assessments, have been very considerable. 

Rev. John Butler, pastor of the Baptist church in East 
"Winthrop, instructed quite a number of classes of young 
ladies in the higher branches of an English education. 
He was a very acceptable and successful teacher. His 
pupils made highly creditable proficiency in their studies, 
particularly in Geography and Astronomy. These branches 
were illustrated by the use of Globes and an Orrery. 
His school obtained such fame, (nor was it undeserved,) 
that some of his pupils came from a very considerable 
distance. His school gave an increased impulse to the 
cause of female education, not only in this town, but in 
the region around in various directions. 

The whole number of scholars between the ages of 
four and twenty-one, in May, 1804, was 685. In Dis- 
trict No. 1, there were 133 ; in District No. 2, were 79 ; 
in District No. 3, were 102 ; in District No. 4, were 
134; in District No. 5, 39; in District No. 6, vrere 45; in 
District No. 7, were 80 ; in District No. 8, were 31 ; in 
District No. 9, were 42. The money raised that year for 
schools was six hundred dollars. 

The whole number of scholars between the ages of 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. '97 

four and twenty-one, in May, 1855, was 777. In Dis- 
trict No. 1, 63; No. 2, 78; No. 3, 53; No. 4, 304; 
No. 5, 79; No. 6, 20; No. 7, 57; No. 8, 48; No. 9, 
66 ; No. 10, 11 ; No. 11, 4 ; No. 12, 4. 

Wintlirop has furnished a large number for the highly 
important, but by no means duly appreciated, occupation 
of teaching common schools. Some of them have attained 
considerable celebrity, not only in Maine and other New 
England States, but also in the Middle, Southern and 
Western States. 

GEADUATES. 

The following is a list of the graduates at different 
Colleges, from Wintarop. 

Abisha Benson, brought up in the family of his uncle, 
Dr. Peleg Benson, graduated at Dartmouth College, 
Hanover, N?H., in 1812. 

Samuel Johnson, son of Dea. Samuel and Mrs. Susanna 
Johnson, was born in Rowley, Mass., but came, while a 
child, in 1802, to Winthrop. He graduated at Bowdoin 
College in the class of 1817. 

George Washington Campbell resided with his brother 
Daniel Campbell, Esq., and graduated at Union College, 
Skenectady, N. Y., in 1820. 

Samuel Page Benson, youngest son of Dr. Peleg and 
Mrs. Sally Benson, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1825. 

Charles Snell, son of Dr. Issacher and Mrs. Mary Snell, 
graduated at the same College, the same year. 

Samuel Lewis Clark, son of Capt. Sam.uel and Mrs. 
Susanna Clark, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1826. 

William S. Sewall, son of Rev. Henry and Mrs. Esther 

Sewall, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1834. 
5* 



98 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Thomas Newman Lord, after finisliing his apprentice- 
ship with his uncle Capt. Thomas Newman, graduated at 
Bowdoin College in 1835. 

Samuel Elliot Benjamin, son of Capt. Samuel and Mrs. 
Olivia Benjamin, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1839. 

William Bradford Snell, son of Capt. Elijah and Mrs. 
Abba Snell, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1845. 

Luther Sampson Gibson, son of Rev. Zechariah and 
Mrs. Theodate Gibson, graduated at Nassau Hall College^ 
Princeton, N. J. 

Perez Southworth, son of Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. 
Content Southworth, graduated at Bowdoin College in 
1846. 

George G. Fairbanks, son of Mr. Elijah and Mrs. 

Fairbanks, graduated at Waterville College in 1847. 

John Walker May, son of Seth May, Esq., and Mrs. 
Cynthia, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1852. 

Francis Everett Webb, son of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. 
Olive Webb, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1853, in 
which he was tutor in Greek one year. 

Henry Clay Wood, son of Major Samuel and Mrs. 
Florena S. Wood, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1854. 

DOCTOKS. 

Winthrop has raised Physicians for several other places. 

Bezer Snell, son of Capt. Elijah and Mrs. Abba Snell, 
went to Virginia in 1818. He was employed as a teacher 
for some time. He studied the healing art. He went to 
Red-house, Charlotte County, Virginia, where he has 
since been in the practice. 

John ^Calvin Metcalf, son of Dea. Joseph and Mrs. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP 99 

Olive Mctcalf, had the degree of M. D., in 1823, from 
the Medical Institution in Philadelphia. He has been a 
practitioner in Kentucky since the year 1831. 

Gorham Albion Wing, son of Ichabod Wing, Esq., and 
Mrs. ElizabelinVing, born July 15, 1798. Having a 
feeble constitution, his early life was devoted to studies. 
After he left the town school, he was instructed in Read- 
field, and was for a season under the tuition of the ^vriter. 
At the age of fifteen, he commenced teaching a town 
school. In 1818, he went to Taney town, Maryland, 
where he taught school and studied medicine, and after 
five years he returned, attended Medical Lectures at 
Brunswick, and in 1824 had the degree of M. D. con- 
ferred upon him. He returned to Maryland, and after 
practicing medicine one year in company with Dr. Heb- 
bard, he removed to Boxborough, Person County, North 
Carolina for five years. He then went with a company 
of emigrants to Spring Hill, Maury County, Tennessee, 
where he remained in his profession, until his decease, 
May 31, 1854. 

Charles Snell, son of Dr. Issachar and Mrs. Mary 
Snell, had the degree of M. D. conferred on him in 1825, 
and after practicing some time in Augusta, he went to 
Bangor, where he still continues the practice. 

Samuel Lewis Clark, son of Capt. Samuel and Mrs. 
Susannah Clark, had the degree of M. D. conferred 
on him by Jefferson College. Pennsylvania. He had 
acquired a very respectable degree of skill in the healing 
art. He practiced some time in Winthrop, but princi- 
pally in the city of Bangor. He died August, 1851, in 
the forty-fifth year of his age. 

David E. A. Brainerd, son of Mr. Reuben and Mrs. 



100 HISTORY OP WINTHROP* 

Fanny Brainercl, received the degree of M. D. at Bowdoia 
College in 1828. He practices medicine in the town of 
China. 

Nelson Howard Carey, son of Capt. Simeon and Mrs. 
Roana Carey, had the degree of M. D. conferred on him 
at Bowdoin College in 1828. He pursued his profession 
many years in Wayne, and then went to Yarmouth. 

George Fillebrown, son of Hon. Thomas and Mrs. 
Elizabeth Fillebrown, received the degree of M. D. at 
Bowdoin College in 1831, and at Columbia College, 
D. C. He pursued his profession in Phippsburg, and 
secured the confidence of his patients. He died in 1833, 
aged 39 years. 

Josiah Harris, son of Dea. Charles and Melatiah Harris, 
left Winthrop, April, 1830. He had the degree of M. D. 
from the Medical College in Baltimore, Maryland. He 
settled as a physician, in Ohio. For several years, he 
held the office of Judge in that State, where he yet lives. 

Lewis Page Parlin, son of Capt. Silas and Mrs. Mary 
Parlin, received the degree of M. D. at Bowdoin College 
in 1834, and pursues his profession in the State of Rhode 
Island. 

Daniel Bobbins Bailey, son of Mr. Ezekiel and Mrs. 
Mary B. Bailey, had the degree of M. D. conferred on 
him at Philadelphia. He practiced some time at Win- 
throp village, and then removed to Fairfield. After some 
years, he returned, and is practising in East Winthrop. 

PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE PRACTICED IK WINTHIIOP. 

Dr. Michael Walcott, from Attleborough, Mass., was 
here about two years, the first regular practitioner in the 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 101 

place, at a very early period. For several years, after lie 
left, the nearest physician was the late Dr. Cony, of 
Augusta, then Hallowell. 

Dr. Moses Wing, from Sandwich, Mass., was some 
time a physician in town. He married a daughter of 
Mr. John Chandler, Senior. He afterwards removed to 
Wayne, where he deceased at an advanced age, July, 
1837. He was a member of the Congregational church, 
and, by the recommendation of some aged ministers, he 
some times preached to the destitute. 

Dr. Pel eg Benson was born in Middleborough, Mass., 
December 14, 1766. He came to Winthrop in 1792. 
On his way, he taught a school in New Gloucester, and 
practiced the healing art a short time in Brunswick. 
November 7, 1793, he married Miss Sally Page, daughter 
of Col. Simon Page. His early advantages to acquire 
medical knowledge were very limited, compared with 
what young men now have. The progress made in the 
science of chemistry and the establishment of Medical 
Schools, have rendered very important aid to the pro- 
fession. Dr. Benson's good common sense and sound 
judgment secured the confidence of the people. From 
his experience and observation he acquired a very re- 
spectable share of skill and an extensive and successful 
practice. He was often called by physicians in neighbor- 
ing towns, as a counselor in difficult cases, particularly 
in fevers and chronic complaints. He continued the only 
physician in the place till the year 1806. In 1842, hav- 
ing continued in the profession for half a century, he 
advertised his friends that he would retire. He died at 



102 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

the good old age of eighty-one. years and ten months, 
October 5, 1848. 

In 1806, Dr. Issachar Snell came from North Bridge- 
water, Mass. He was a graduate of Harvard University 
of 1797, and had the degree of M. D. conferred upon 
him, and was M. M. S. Soc. He had given special atten- 
tion to surgery. He had practiced some prior to his 
coming to Winthrop. He had performed the difficult 
operation of Lithotomy with great success. He soon 
gained practice in town, particularly among the families 
who emigrated from Bridgewater, of whom there were 
not a few. His success as a surgeon gave him much 
celebrity. He was frequently called a very considerable 
distance in nearly every direction from Winthrop. He 
became eminent in his profession. To the deep regret of 
many, he left the town and removed to Augusta in 1828, 
where he continued in the practice till his very sudden 
death in October, 1847, aged seventy-two years and five 
months. 

After Dr. Snell left, in 1827, Dr. Charles Hubbard 
came from Concord, Mass. He had the degree of M. D. 
conferred upon him, and had enjoyed superior advantages. 
He was "a Avell read physician;" but some thought he 
relied too much on his books. He left in 1830 and went 
to Lowell, Mass. 

Dr. Cyrus Knapp, of Leeds, came to Winthrop in 
1827. He received the degree of M. D. from Bowdoin 
College in 1825. He acquired considerable reputation 
as a physician. But in 1838, he went to Augusta, and 
after practicing there some time, he was appointed Super- 
intendent of the Insane Hospital. From thence he went 
to Rochester, N. Y. 



HISTORY OF WINTHHOP. 103 

Dr. Ebenezer C. Milliken came from Farmington. The 
Medical degree of M. D. was conferred on him at Bow- 
doin College in 1833. He practiced creditably in Win- 
throp from 1835 to 1837, but was not fond of the pro- 
fession. He then removed to Boston and went into other 
business, in which he has been very successful. 

Dr. Thomas L. Meguier succeeded Dr. Knapp. He 
received the degree of M. D. at Bowdoin College in 1827, 
and came to Winthrop in 1836. He had considerable 
practice. In 1848 he sold his stand to Dr. John Hartwell, 
who left in 1854, and has since died. 

Dr. Daniel R. Bailey, son of Mr. Ezekiel Bailey, of 
this town, had the degree of M. D. from the Medical 
School in Philadelphia. He established himself at the 
village in 1838, where he practiced some time. He then 
left, and in 1849 returned and settled in East Winthrop, 
where he still remains in the practice. 

Dr. Samuel Lewis Clark commenced practice here in 
1838, and in 1842 went to Bangor and practiced. He 
was considered a skillful physician. He remained there 
till about the time of his death. 

Dr. Ezekiel Holmes was a native of Kingston, Mass., 
and a graduate of Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 
1821. He had the degree of M. D. at Bowdoin College 
in 1824. His health not proving adequate to the toils 
and exposures of a physician, he instructed some time in 
the Gardiner Lyceum. He came to Winthrop in 1832. 
In January following, he commenced the publication 
of the Maine Farmer. He has continued to occupy the 
Editorial chair of that important and valuable periodical 
to the present time. He has rendered his weekly issues 



104 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

higUy popular and useful to husbandmen and mechanics. 
He occasionally prescribes as a physician, and not unfre- 
quently is called as a counselor, by the faculty. He was, 
for 1852 and 1853, the Free Soil candidate for Governor 
of Maine. 

Dr. Brown practiced some years in EastWinthrop, 

now Manchester. 

Dr. Albert F. Stanley, a native of Attleborough, Mass., 
received the degree of M. D. at Bowdoin College in 1822, 
and practiced medicine several years in Dixfield, Oxford 
County. He came to Winthrop in 1843, where he still 
continues the practice. He is a cordial laborer in the 
cause of Temperance. 

Dr. Albion P. Snow was a native of Brunswick, where 
he received the degree of M. D. in 1854. He commenced 
the. practice of medicine in Winthrop, soon after. 

Dr. E. Small, a Thompsonian, practiced in 1844, and 
left in 1845. 

Dr. Palmer, a Homeopathist, practiced in town 

in 1852 and 1853, and then removed, 

LAWYERS. 

The following, who have been admitted to the bar as 
lawyers, were either born or brought up in Winthrop. 

Abisha Benson, a nephew of Dr. Benson, pursued his 
profession in the town of China. In 1826, he was ap- 
pointed Brigadier General in the militia. He deceased 
September 6, 1836, aged thirty-seven years. 

Noble Snell, son of Capt. Elijah and Mrs. Abba Snell, 
practiced law in Virginia. 

Samuel Page Benson, son of Dr. Peleg and Mrs. Sally 
Benson. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 105 

Gustavus Adolphus Benson, son of Dr. Peleg and Mrs. 
Sally Benson. 

Seth May, son of Col. John and Mrs. Esther May. 

John May, son of Col. John and Mrs. Esther May. 

Samuel Elliot Benjamin, son of Capt. Samuel and Mrs. 
Olivia Benjamin, is practicing in Patten. 

William Bradford Snell, son of Capt. Elijah Snell, 
after being preceptor of Monmouth Academy for some 
years, has established himself in Fairfield, as an attorney. 

Oliver L. Currier, son of Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Phebe 
Lambert Currier, was admitted to the bar in Franklin 
County. He was for some years a member of the Board 
of Education. He continues his profession in New 
Sharon. 

LAWYERS WHO HAVE PKACTICED IN WINTHROP. 

The first regular lawyer in the place was Dudley Todd, 
Esq. He was a native of Rowley, Mass., and graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1795. He came to Winthrop in 

. He was chosen Town Agent in 1801. He served 

the town in that capacity for a number of years. In 
1809, his house was burned, and he sustained a consid- 
erable loss, and removed to Portland. But several of 
his last years, he resided in Wayne. 

The next lawyer was Daniel Campbell. He was a 
native of Chester, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1801. He came to Winthrop and opened an 
office, and in 1837, he went to Readfield, and after prac- 
ticing some years there, he returned to Winthrop, re- 
nounced the law as a profession, and became a preacher. 

Alexander Belcher came from Northfield, Mass., to 



106 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Winthrop in 1807, where he continued till his very sud- 
den death, in May, 1854, aged 75 years. Though not 
distinguished as a pleader at the bar, he was well skilled 
in the principles of law, and was a judicious and able 
counselor. 

Alfred Martin, a native of Hallowell, graduated at 
Bowdoin College in 1825. He opened an office in 1827. 
His health declined, and he died in August, 1831, aged 
twenty- eight years. 

Augustus Alden, a native of Middleboro', Mass., gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth College in 1802. He came to "Win- 
throp, after having been in the profession several years 
in Norridgewock and Augusta. He removed to Hallowell, 
where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a 
pious man, but never had much success as a lawyer. 

Jeremiah Lothrop, from Leeds, established himself in 
the profession in 1828, and subsequently went to Hal- 
lowell. 

Samuel Page Benson, a native of this town, graduated 
at Bowdoin College in 1825. After practicing law a while 
In Unity, came to this town and opened an office in 1829. 
During the political years 1838 and 1841, he held the 
office of Secretary of State. In 1853, he was elected 
a Representative to Congress in the Kennebec or 4th 
District. 

Seth May, a native of this town, practiced law some 
time in Wayne, and came to Winthrop in 1832, where 
he still remains. In May, 1855, he was appointed a 
Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine. 

Thomas J. Burgess, a native of Wayne, commenced 
the practice of law in this town in 1853. 

i 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 107 

John Walker May, son of Judge May, was admitted 
to the bar, August, 1855. 

PEEACHEKS. 

Preachers who were members of the Congregational 
church. 

Robert Page, Jr., son of Robert Page, Esq., and Mrs. 
Abigail Page, graduated at Bowdoin, 1810, and at the 
Theological Seminary, Andover, in 1815. Though his 
parents resided in Readfield, yet, they and he were 
members of the Congregational church in Winthrop. He 
preached in several places as a Missionary, was ordained 
pastor of a church in Bradford, N. H., and is now min- 
ister in Lempster, N. H. 

Samuel Johnson, son of Dea. Samuel and Mrs. Susan- 
nah Johnson, was born in Rowley, now Georgetown, 
Mass. His parents came to Winthrop in 1802. He 
graduated at Bowdoin College in 1817, and was ordained 
pastor of the Congregational church in Alna, November 
25, 1818. He was dismissed and became pastor of the 
Congregational church in Saco in 1828. He was ap- 
pointed Secretary and General Agent of the Maine 
Missionary Society in 1835. In this vocation he labored 
till his death, November, 1836. He was a man of 
popular talents, an evangelical, interesting and useful 
preacher, cut down in the midst of his days, in the forty- 
fifth year of his age. 

George Washington Campbell, though not a native of 
Winthrop, yet became an inhabitant. He graduated at 
Union College, Skenectady, N. Y. in 1823, and was 
ordained pastor of the Congregational church in South 
Berwick, November 17, 1824. He has preached in sev- 
eral places since. 



108 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

Daniel Campbell, a graduate of Dartmoutli College in 
1801, who had been a lawyer for several years, received 
the approbation of the Kennebec and Somerset Associa- 
tion as a preacher of the gospel, in May, 1824, and was 
ordained pastor of the Union church, Kennebunk, Dec, 

1827. His health failing him, he was dismissed Dec, 

1828. He gradually recovered so much health, that he 
officiated as pastor of the west church in Orford, N. H., 
for a nmnber of years, and departed life there in October, 
1849, aged seventy years. He was sound in faith and 
evangelical in spirit. 

William May, son of Col. John and Mrs. Esther May, 
was born November, 1803. He was educated at Bangor, 
and was of the class of 1827. He was ordained pastor 
of the Congregational church in Winslow. In Sept., 
1833, he was installed pastor of the Congregational 
church in Strong. Here, July, 1842, he closed his labors 
and his life. " Blessed are the dead who die in the 
Lord." 

William S. Sewall, son of Rev. Henry and Mrs. Esther 
Sewall, though not a native of the town, was residing 
here, and became a student of Bowdoin College, where 
he graduated in 1834. In September, 1839, he was 
ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Brown- 
ville, where he still continues. 

Thomas Newman Lord, born in Newburyport, Mass., 
August 19, 1807, but brought up in this town, and after 
closing his apprenticeship, he entered Bowdoin College, 
where he graduated in 1835. He was ordained pastor 
of the Congregational church in Topsham, August, 1837. 
He left Topsham in July, 1842, and was installed pastor 
of the Second Congregational church in Biddeford, and 



HISTORY OP WIXTHROP. ^ 109 

left, 1853. He is now ministering to the churcli in 
Auburn. 

Caleb Steadman Williams, son of Mr. John and Mrs. 
Eunice Williams, became a Licentiate for the ministry, 
but has not been ordained. 

Luther Sampson Gibson, son of Rev. Zechariah and 
Mrs. Theodate Gibson, graduated at Nassau Hall College, 
Princeton, N. J., was Licensed by Presbytery. He was 
an Agent of the American Sunday School Union, and 
died while in their employ. 

Samuel N. Tufts, son of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Sally 
Tufts, received the approbation of the Union Association, 
as a candidate for the ministry, September, 1843. 

Perez Southworth, son of Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. 
Content Southworth, graduated at Bowdoin College in 
1846, and after spending some time in the Theological 
Seminary at Bangor, he received approbation to preach. 
He went to the South for the benefit of his health, and 
preached a few weeks in Georgia. In passing through 
Tennessee on his way to Kentucky, he died of cholera, 
June 15, 1849, in the 27th year of his age. A mysteri- 
ous dispensation of God's providence, it appears to us. 
He was a youth of fair promise, had struggled hard to 
qualify himself to be useful in the vineyard of the Lord, 
and was thus suddenly cut down in the morning of life. 

Francis Southworth and Alanson Southworth, sons of 
Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Content Southworth, are mem- 
bers of the Bangor Theological Seminary, in the course 
of preparation for the ministry. 
6 



CHAPTEH VII. 

Ecclesiastical History — Meeting Houses — Congregationalists - 
Friends — Methodists — Calvinist Baptists — Universalists — Chris- 
tian Band — ^Free Will Baptists — ISiinisterial Fund. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOKT. 

A EEVIEW of the past may be made instructive and 
useful. God repeatedly enjoined it upon his people to 
" call to remembrance the former days." Many have 
found it interesting and profitable. ** He established a 
testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which 
he commanded our fathers that they should make known 
to their children the wonderful works that he had done, 
that the generation to come might know them, even the 
children which should be born ; who should arise and 
declare them to their children, that they might set their 
hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep 
his commandments." Ps. 78 : 4 — 7. So the devout 
Psalmist, 77: 10, 11, said, " I will remember the years of 
the right hand of the most High, I will remember the 
Avorks of the Lord, surely I will remember thy wonders 
of old." The history of the past, judiciously reviewed, 
may afford valuable materials for humiliation, admoni- 
tion, warning, direction and encouraorement. 



HISTORY OP WINTHEOP. Ill 

The glorious Redeemer said to his disciples, " Ye are 
the salt of the earth ; ye are the light of the world." 
Matt. 5:13. He therefore scatters his people into dif- 
ferent portions of the land, to preserve the inhabitants 
from moral darkness and corruption. What preacher of 
the gos23el first proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation 
to the inhabitants of Winthrop, the writer has not ascer- 
tained. The early settlers had been accustomed to attend 
upon the institutions of the gospel. They could not fail 
to perceive that they and their families needed to feel 
the benign influences which accompany those institutions. 
They soon began to make arrangements to have the gos- 
pel preached among them. But what measures were 
taken, prior to the incorporation of the town, in 1771, to 
have the ministrations of the gospel, I have not been able 
to learn. But, on the 27th of May, 1771, in a legal 
town meeting, "John Chandler, Timothy Foster and 
Jonathan Whiting, were appointed a committee to hire 
preaching for eight Sabbaths the ensuing summer ; and 
to raise twenty pounds, to hire preaching and defray 
other necessary charges." Who was employed, if any 
one, the records do not show, but it was probably Mr. 
Thurston Whiting. The town annually chose a com- 
mittee to hire preaching for two or three months. Mr. 
Whiting had preached considerably to the people prior 
to October, 1775. The town then "instructed their 
committee to agree with him for three months, after his 
other engagements are out, and to hire him one day in a 
month during this winter, with a view of settling him." 
The instructions some times given to the committee, were, 
*' to hire a young gentleman of good moral character." 
There were special reasons for such ^instructions. For 



112 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

the Province of Maine was the " city of refuge" to wHcli 
ministers of unsound morals, generally fled. 

March 11, 1776, they "voted not to raise any money 
for preaching," or for schools, or to defray town charges. 
The reason doubtless was, the embarrassment which 
the war occasioned. But they " voted to employ Mr. 
Moore ^' to get Mr. Thayer to preach in this town four 
Sabbaths. 

About this time, some of the inhabitants began to have 
scruples in regard to raising money by tax, to pay for 
preaching. The town, September 9, 1776, "voted 
to dismiss Micajah Dudley, Stephen Dudley, Jabez 
Clough, Moses Ayer, Benjamin Fairbanks, Timothy Fos- 
ter, Jr., Stephen Norton, Daniel Dudley, from paying 
any ministerial charges in this town," on account of these 
scruples. "Voted to meet at the nearest convenient 
place in the center of the town for public worship, and 
that we meet half of the time at the house of Mr. Henry 
Wyman, and the other half of the time at the house 
of Mr. Squier Bishop, till the committee can fix upon 
a place in the center. Voted to hixe Mr. Jeremiah Shaw 
four Sabbaths more than what the committee have asrreed 

O 

with him for. Voted to raise £20 lawful money, to defray 
ministerial charges. Voted to Mr. Jeremiah Shaw four 
shillings, which he paid for a pilot through the woods." 

No records can be found from which it can be ascer- 
tained how much preaching the people had enjoyed prior 
to this time. It is inferred, that Mr. Shaw had preached 
there a considerable time, from the fact, that the town 
" voted to Mr. Jonathan Whiting for Mr. Shaw's board, 



* Probably _Mr. Moore of Pownalborough. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 113 

£2 14s., and for keeping Mr. Shaw's horse, 12s. No 
mention is made of what was paid the minister. 

Several persons had come into the place, who were 
members of churches in Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
shire. They, with some others, who had not made a 
public profession of religion, were desirous of enjoying 
the special ordinances of the gospel. Accordingly, they 
requested an Ecclesiastical Council, composed of the 
churches in Harpswell, Pownalborough"^- and New Castle, 
to convene for the purpose, should it be judged advisable, 
to organize a church. In compliance with this request, 
Rev. Samuel Eaton of Harpswell, Rev. Thomas Moore 
of Pownalborough, and Rev. Thurston Whiting of New 
Castle, assembled in Council, Sept. 4, 1776. Whether 
Delegates were present is not known, as the record of the 
Council is lost. But members of the church have told 
me that after the examination of the candidates, and they 
had subscribed a covenant, embracing articles of faith and 
practice, the Council declared the covenanters, (26 in 
number,) to be a church of Chris t.f 

Mr. Shaw was probably preaching here when the Con- 
gregational church was organized. On the 22 d of that 
month, the church extended an invitation to him to be- 
come their pastor. On the 7th of October, the town 
" voted to give a call to him to settle in the ministerial 
office ; and to give him £60 lawful money salary for the 
first live years, and then to add £15 to his salary, during 
his public administration among them. Also to give him 
200 acres of land in the nearest convenient place, in the 



* Now Dresden, or Wiscasset, for Po\vnalborough included both, 
t See Appendix, Note D. 



114 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

center of the town, that can be obtained. Mr. Ichabod 
How, Mr. John Chandler and Mr. Joseph Baker, were 
chosen a committee to wait on Mr. Shaw, and to present 
him with the proceedings of this day." But he declined 
accepting their proposals.^' 

Jan. 15, 1777, a committee was appointed to "hire a 
young gentleman to preach three months, that can be 
well recommended as a preacher, and as to his mora^ 
character ; and that the committee invite the neighboring 
ministers to preach one day apiece with us this winter, 
gratis.''^ They also agreed to " reward Rev. Mr. Emer- 
son for one day's preaching last winter, and Mr. Whiting 
for one day's preaching last summer. 

October 13,1777, the church and town extended a unaU' 
imous invitation to Mr. Zaccheus Colby, a young preacher, 
to become their pastor. The town " voted to give Mr 
Colby eighty pounds per annum for his salary during his 
ministry, stated at corn 4s. per bushel, rye at 5s., and 
beef at 5d. per pound, and what money he receives to- 
wards his salary shall be in proportion to the aforesaid 
articles as herein stated. And to prevent all misunder- 
standing of this vote, it is the true intent and meaning 
of the same that, if said articles should fall, that said 
salary should fall in proportion, but that his salary shall 
be paid in proportion to the above articles, not exceeding 
the within price." Captains Timothy Foster and Ichabod 
How and Mr. Stephen Pullen were the committee to 
present these proposals of the town to Mr. Colby. " Voted 

* INIr. Shaw was afterwards many years pastor of the church in 
Moultonborough, N. H. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 115 

to raise fifty dollars to pay for preacHng and the expenses 
of getting Mr. Colby down here." He also returned a 
negative answer to their call. 

Mr. Colby graduated at Dartmouth College in 1777.* 
In 1811, he told the writer, that his youth and inexperi- 
ence induced him to decline accepting their invitation. 
No one is able now to say what portion of the time they 
were favored with the ministrations of the gospel. 

March 9, 1778, a committee was appointed to provide 
preaching, and also March 8, 1779. This committee 
were instructed " to write Mr. Colby not to preach here 
unless he concluded to settle here ; and not to employ 
any gentleman as a preacher, unless on probation of one 
t-^vo or three months, as they may think best, and a man 
well recommended." 

May 17, 1779, "Voted to divide the town into two 
Parishes by an East and West line to pass in the center, 
as lately found by the town committee." 

March 18, 1780, the town " voted to raise six hundred 
and twenty dollars to pay Mr. Sweat, and his board and 
horse keeping." Who this Mr. Sweat was, is not known. 
Probably he had been preaching on probation, but for 
reasons now not known, did not become their pastor. 

They still remained like " sheep scattered upon the 
mountains without a shepherd." They had to contend 
not only with the difficulties and hardships incident to 
all who establish themselves in newly settled countries, 
but some privations and trials which were peculiarly griev- 



* Mr. Colby was many years pastor of the church in Pembroke 
New Hampshu'c. 



116 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

OTIS. Surrounded by an immense wilderness, far from 
the habitations of civilized men, they were subjected to 
many serious inconveniencos. The Revolutionary war 
prevented inteYcommunication by water, (nearly their 
only way,) with the older settlements at the West. 
This greatly enhanced their troubles. Still, they were 
not wholly deserted and cast off. Through the good 
hand of God upon them, they were brought to more 
prosperous days. 

October 17th, 1781, Eev. David Jewett, v/ho had 
been pastor of a church in Candia, N. H., was invited to 
become their pastor. The 19th of November, he signi- 
fied his acceptance of their proposals.^'' The same day, 
the church and the pastor elect, agreed to send to the 
following pastors and churches, viz. : Rev. Messrs. Up- 

ham of , Chad wick of Scarboro', Webster of 

Arundel, (now Biddeford,) Eaton of Harpswell, Whiting 
of New Castle, and Moore of Pownalborough, to compose 
the installing Council. January 2, 1782, the installation 
took place. But who of them attended and performed 
on the occasion, is not known. The result of the Coun- 
cil is lost. 

In about fourteen months after the installation, their 
pastor was removed by a very sudden death. Thus they 
were left again without a spiritual guide. During the 
long period of seventeen years, they remained destitute 
of a pastor, and much of the time, of the regular minis- 
trations of the gospel. It was no marvel, that in such a 



See Appendix, Note E. 



HISTORY OF WIXTHROP. . IIT 

state, tliey should have to encounter many, various and 
sore trials. Internal dissensions rent them. When the 
soothing, benign influences of the preached word are 
removed, what else is to be expected ? If, when churches 
are favored with all the salutary appliances of the gospel, 
the members should disagree, is it strange that, when 
they are withdrawn, they should have strife and envying ? 
Some of them dishonored their profession, by their un- 
christian spirit and practice. Other denominations made 
inroads upon them. Some removed to a distance. Others 
were called to go the way of all the earth. Their number 
was reduced and their strength weakened. 

They were not left utterly desolate, nor without some 
intervals of light and refreshing. A portion of the 
time they had the faithful preaching of the gospel. The 
ministers in all the region were few. Rev. Ezekiel Em- 
erson of Georgetown, now Phippsburg, and Rev. Samuel 
Eaton of Harpswell, occasionally visited them, to advise, 
counsel and encourage them, and brake unto them the 
bread of life. They would spend a Sabbath and consid- 
erable part of the week with this feeble, destitute, afflicted 
church. 

August 14, 1786, the town voted to hire Mr. Jacob 
Cram, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1782, who had 
been preaching with them some time, six weeks longer ; 
and that he preach half of the time in the north part of 
the town, and to raise ten pounds to pay him. They also 
voted to build a porch over the front door of the meeting 
house. On the 22d of September, they gave Mr. Cram 
a call to the work of the ministry, " by a large majority; '* 



118 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

and for a salary, tliey agreed to give liim one hundred 
and twenty-five pounds, to be paid in produce, Indian 
corn at 4s. per bushel, rye at 5s., beef at 3d. per pound. 
Gideon Lambert, Jonathan Whiting, Robert Page, Esq., 
Benjamin Brainerd, William Pullen, Simon Page and 
Elijah Fairbanks were appointed a committee to present 
the invitation of the town to Mr. Cram. 

He also returned a negative answer to the call of the 
town.* Why it was, that so many preachers declined 
settling in this town, is not easy to explain. They cer- 
tainly needed a pastor. 

April, 1787, " the town voted not to choose a commit- 
tee to provide preaching." They allowed "Nathaniel 
Fairbanks' account for boarding Mr. Cram last year, £4 Is." 

January 14, 1788, Jonathan Whiting's account was 
allowed of £13 3s. 7d., which he paid to Rev. Mr. 
Sweat, for preaching. 

In the warrant for a meeting of the town, March 24, 
1788, the " 5th article was to see if the town will employ 
Mr. Eliphalet Smith, or some other man, to preach with 
us this year ; which passed in the negative." 

May 5, " Voted, that Capt. John Blunt, Doct. John 
Hubbard and John Chandler, Jr., be a committee to 
procure some labor done on the Ministerial Lot ; and 
instructed them not to clear nor to employ men to clear 
more than 50 acres, and not to rent said land for more 
than 10 years ; and to have said land cleared as reason- 
ably as in their power." 

August 27, 1788, they declined taking measures to 
have preaching. 

* Mr, Cram was afterwards settled in Hopkinton, N. H. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 119 

Rev. David Jewett had presented a largo folio volume, 
containing the works of Rev. Mr. Flavel, to the people 
in Winthrop. At the town meeting, March, 1790, 
" voted that Capt. Fairbanks take care of said Book." 

September 6, 1790, "Voted to raise sixty pounds to 
hire preaching. Voted that each man who shall wish to 
be exempted from the above sum, shall make his plea, 
and that the town vote them clear or not, as they shall 
think proper. Voted to exempt Jabez Clough, Benjamin 
Fairbanks, Daniel Marrow, James Craig, Paul Sears, 
Samuel Stevens, Steuart Foster, John Gray, Timothy 
Foster, David Foster, Daniel Wing, Peter Norton and 
Joshua Bean." Jonathan Whiting, Esq., Capt. Solomon 
Stanley and Jedediah Prescot, Jr., were a committee for 
the south part of the town ; and Capt. V/illiam Whittier, 
Robert Page, Esq., and Dr. John Hubbard for the 
north part of the town, to lay out the above sum of 
money to hire preaching. 

March, 1791, the town was divided, and the northern 
part incorporated by the name of Readfield.*' The 
Legislature of Massachusetts subsequently authorized 
the town to sell the land given by the Plymouth Com- 
pany for the support of the ministry in the town of Win- 
throp, and to divide the proceeds of the sale between the 
two tovms, and to appropriate the interest of the money 
for the support of the ministry. 

The Ecclesiastical history from this period pertains to 
Winthrop alone. Hitherto, Rcadfield has been included. 

* See act of incorporation, in the Appendix, Note F, 



120 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

April 4, 1791, "Voted, that £40 be raised to hire 
preaching, to be laid out by the Selectmen, or a com- 
mittee chosen for that purpose." May 9, 1791, Amos 
Stevens, Jedediah Prescot, Jr., and Capt. Nathaniel 
Fairbanks were chosen a committee to hire preaching. 

May, 1792, the town voted not to apply to Mr. Atkin- 
son to preach any longer in this town. 

May, 1793, they agreed to raise thirty pounds to hire 
preaching. 

April, 1797, they voted not to raise money to have the 
ministrations of the gospel. 

May, 1798, " Voted to raise one himdred dollars to 
hire preaching ;" which money they voted to have assessed, 
collected and paid in to the town Treasurer in six months. 
Jedediah Prescot, Esq., Elijah Fairbanks and Amos 
Stevens were chosen to appropriate the money, with 
discretionary orders, only, the town voted that they should 
" pay none of said money to any person as a preacher, 
unless there was a probability of his becoming the settled 
minister of v«aid town." 

September, 1798, they voted not to employ Mr. Steele 
any longer. There are no means of knowing how long 
they had employed him, nor why they did not wish to 
retain him.^ 

September, 1798, they decided not to hire Mr. Jotham 
Sewall, or any other candidate, to preach among them. 

May, 1799, voted not to raise any money for preaching. 



* It is believed that this Mr. Steele was afterwards settled at 
Machias. 

6* 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 121 

December 30, upon the article in the warrant, " whether 
the town have any objection to the incorporation of a 
Society in said town, (at the next session of the General 
Court,) to be known by the name of a Religious Congre- 
gational Society, for the purpose of supporting public 
worship in that order." " The town voted unanimously, 
that they had no objection to the incorporation of said 
Society, at the next session of the General Court." 

From November, 1781 till 1800, during this period of 
nineteen years, seventeen of which the church had no 
pastor, no record of any act of the church, nor of any 
baptism, can be found. The Clerk told me that he kept 
an account of the transactions ; and when a pastor was 
ordained, he trant.ferred the records to him. This was a 
season of great moral darkness and gloom. Religion 
declined ; iniquities abounded. The Sabbath was grossly 
profaned. What part of the time they had preaching, 
cannot bs correctly ascertained. But all " the salt had 
not wholly lost its savor." Some were truly grieved for 
the desolations of Zion. Some of the more considerate 
persons, without the pale of the church, became alarmed 
at the prevalence of impiety and vice. Convinced of the 
enlightening and reforming tendency of the ministrations 
of the gospel, they were desirous to have its institutions 
among them. The Christians felt a very tender solicitude 
for the spiritual welfare of the rising generation. They 
saw them coming forward on the stage of life, uninflu- 
enced by those means which God has appointed for the 
conversion and salvation of men. " They wept and made 
supplication," they besought God " to behold and visit 
this vine." He, who, in faithfulness chastens his people, 
6^ 



122 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

but never utterly forsakes tliem, teard their supplications. 
The clouds of thick darkness, which had long hung over 
them, began to disperse. A brightening, gladdening 
prospect opened before them. But so various "vvere the 
views of the inhabitants of the town on religious subjects, 
and so divided, that they could not act as a town in the 
settlement and support of a minister. 

Several men, though not members of the church, were 
decided and substantial friends of religious institutions 
and order, in connection with members of the church, 
obtained from the Legislature an act of incorporation, as 
a Poll Parish."^'' They could then act in a legal way to 
raise money to support religious worship. 

In the winter of 1799 and 1800, Mr. Jonathan Belden, 
from Weathersfield, Conn., a graduate of Yale College 
in 1796, and a candidate for the gospel ministry, came 
among them. His labors were attended by the special 
influences of the Holy Spirit. The season was memor- 
able, and numbers will retain a very grateful remem- 
brance of it through eternal ages. From this period the 
cause of evangelical religion asssumed a new and brighter 
aspect in the place. 

In May, 1800, the church unanimously invited Mr. 
Belden to become their pastor. The Parish concurred 
in the invitation. On the 27th of August following, he 
was ordained their pastor.f But the pastor's health be- 
came impaired and at the expiration of five years, Sept. 
10, 1805, an Ecclesiastical Council " unanimously advised 
that the pastoral connection between the Pastor and 



* See the act of incorporation — Appendix, Note G. 
t See Appendix, Note H. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 123 

chiircli be dissolved in compliance with his and their 
wishes." 

In 1806, the Poll Parish was dissolved by an act of 
the Legislature. The writer, having been invited to 
preach a few Sabbaths in the place, came in the begin- 
ning of May, that year. 

In June, the church kept a day of fasting and prayer 
in reference to a meeting of the town to be held on the 
1 1 th, to see whether they would raise money to support 
preaching. 

The town met and " voted to raise two hundred and 
fifty dollars for the purpose of supporting a preacher of 
the gospel. Nathaniel Fairbanks, Nathaniel Kimball 
and Isaac Smith, were appointed a committee to appro- 
priate the above sum." They engaged the writer to sup- 
ply the pulpit. Nov. 10, the church having previously 
extended an invitation to him to become their pastor, the 
town " voted to give him a call to settle in said town in 
the work of a gospel minister ; and to give him four 
hundred dollars a year, so long as he shall continue our 
minister; and also voted to give him four hundred 
dollars as a settlement, to wit : one hundred dollars 
yearly, if he should continue our minister for the space 
of four years, if he should not, then his settlement to 
decrease in proportion to that time, and so in that pro- 
portion until the four years have expired." Samuel 
Wood, Esq., Dea. Elijah Snell and Mr. Jonathan Whit- 
ing, Jr., were chosen to present the proposals of the 
town to Mr. Thurston. 

In January, 1807, Mr. Thurston returned an affirma- 
tive answer to their invitation to become their minister ; 



124 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

and was ordained tlieir Pastor, Feb. 18, 1807."^ The 
pastoral relation continued until Oct. 15, 1851, when, at 
his request, it was dissolved in accordance with the ad- 
vice of an Ecclesiastical Council. During his pastorate 
327 were added to the church. The same day llev. Mr. 
Thurston was dismissed, the Rev. Rufus M. Sawyer was 
ordained their Pastor.^' 

The first Sabbath School in town and propably in the 
State, was established by this church, Aug. 7, 1808. It 
has been continued in different forms, and with various 
success, until the present time. The number in the 
Sabbath School is one hundred. They have renewed 
their Sabbath School Library several times and it now 
contains three hundred volumes. 

FEIENDS. 

A few individuals, residing in the Easterly part of the 
town, embraced the principles, and adopted the language, 
costume and habits of the Friends. Twelve heads of 
families and some twenty-five of their children were 
organized into a Society, according to the usage of their 
Denomination, in 1792. The . following composed the 
meeting at that time, viz. Steuart Foster and wife, David 
Foster, Ephraim Stevens, and wife, Samuel Stevens and 
wife, (of Readfield) Daniel Robbins and wife, Josiah 
French and wife and Moses Wadsworth. They erected 
a house of worship in their neighborhood in 1798. Not 
long after this Ezra Briggs and wife came into the place 
from Dresden and united with them. The children of 

* See Appendix, Note H. 



HISTORY OF WIXTHROP. 125 

Steuart and David Foster did not remain with the Friends, 
nor did some of the other children. Several removed to 
other places. They built a second house of worship in 
1843 and. a larger one in 1853. Their present number, 
including children is about seventy. In this little society 
are some very enterprising young men. They have gone 
extensively into the Oil cloth carpet manufacture. 

EPISCOPAL METHODISTS. 

There was a Methodist class formed in the S. E. part 
of the Town in what is called the Fairbanks' neighbor- 
hood, in 1794, under the ministrations of Rev. Philip 
WaQ-er. Of what number the class consisted cannot now 
be ascertained. Nathaniel Bishop, and Seth Delano were 
probably the only men. The wives of S. Delano, Nathan 
Richmond and Daniel Marrow, were probably the fe- 
males. 

In 1806, 7 and 8, the Methodists preached in the school 
house in that neighborhood once in two weeks. Subse- 
quently they preached there but seldom. A Methodist 
minister had, occasionally, preached in the Village, but 
not at stated times, till 1 825. Mr. Nathaniel Bishop and 
his wife had been, for many years, members of that 
communion. He had formerly been a local preacher. 
From the date last named, he made great efforts to 
introduce local preachers from the neighboring towns. 

He projected the plan of having a Methodist Chapel 
erected in the Village. The plan was opposed very 
considerably, but being a man of indomitable persever- 
ance, he succeeded. He and several others obtained a 



126 HISTORY OF WETTHEOP. 

very eligible site, and on the " 24tli of June, 1825, the 
corner stone was laid ; and after the frame was raised, but 
being yet uncovered, on July 3d, Bishop Soule preached 
within it." At the annual meeting of the Maine Confer- 
ence at Gardiner, the following week, Winthrop was 
considered a station, but no preacher was appointed till 
the next annual Conference. Local preachers, however, 
regularly preached on the Sabbath. The chapel was 
completely finished and solemnly dedicated to the worship 
of Almighty God, November 23, 1825. Rev. Stephen 
Lovell preached on the occasion from 2. Chron. 7 : 15, 16. 
In July, 1826, the Conference appointed him to take 
charge of this station. The number belonging to the class 
at this station then was tioenty-one, only fifteen of whom 
were members of the church.* 

In 1854, the number of members in the church v>'as 
reported to be one hundred and four, and eight on proba- 
tion. The officers and teachers in their Sabbath school 
numbered nineteen, their scholars were one hundred and 
twenty, and their Sabbath school Library contains 270 
volumes. 

CALVINIST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

From an early period in the history of Winthrop, there 
were some of this donomination in the easterly part of 
the town. They were connected with others in Read- 
field ; and in 1792, were organized into a church, then 
called the BajDtist church in Winthrop. But having 
erected a house of worship in the eastern part of Read- 



See Appendix, Note I. 



HISTOHY OF WINTHROP. 12T 

field, they changed the name to " the Baptist church in 
Readfield." 

In April, 1794, after the outside of the town meeting 
house was finished, the town voted that the Baptists 
might occupy the house two Sabbaths out of five. 
"Whether they availed themselves of this offer, I can not 
say. Kev. Abraham Cummings did preach some time in 
the place, prior to 1 800. He was an open Communionists 
and often supplied Congregational churches. Whether 
he preached for the Baptists, particularly, or for the 
people of the town, is not known. It does not appear 
from the records that he was ever employed by the town. 

In 1809, the Baptists asked the town for their share 
of the money, for which the land given by the Plymouth 
Company for the support of the ministry, had been sold ; 
but the town voted not to grant it. They occasionally 
had preaching in the school house in the cast part of 
Winthrop, on the Sabbath and other days. 

In the summer of 1823, they erected a house of wor- 
ship, which was solemnly dedicated to the worship of 
God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, November 19, 
1823. The sermon was preached by Rev. Stephen 
Chapin, Professor in Waterville College, and was pub- 
lished. Mr. Phinehas Bond, a licentiate, preached among 
them with much success. 

June 22, 1824, a church was organized by an Ecclesi- 
astical Council, composed of the following Elders and 
Delegates : Elder D. Chessman, Dea. James Hinckley 
and Brother William Cross, Hallowell ; Elder John 
Haines, Brothers Joseph Anderson, Abijah Crane and 



128 ■ HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Jeremiali Richards, Fayette ; Brothers Asa Axdell and 
Ebenezer Gilman, Belgrade. Elder Titcomb of Bruns- 
wick, Dr. Chapin of Waterville, Elder Nutter of Liv- 
ermore, Elder Wilson of Topsliam, Elder Butler and 
Professor Briggs of Waterville, and Brothers Phinehas 
Bond and Ezra Going, licensed preachers, being present, 
were invited to sit with the Council, and take part in the 
proceedings. 

Thirty persons, eighteen males and twelve females, 
members of the Baptist church in Readfield, but residing 
in Winthrop, were dismissed to be constituted the First 
Baptist Church in Winthrop. (See Appendix, Note K.) 

June 28, Ucenty-four males and ybr/?/-owe females were 
received by letters from the church in lleadfield. Several 
had been baptized, and July 11, 1824, seventy-four were 
added to the church, twenty-seven males and forty-seven 
females. August 8, tvv^elve more were added to their 
number, four males and eight females. At the close of 
that memorable year, the church consisted of one hundred, 
and tiventy-nine members, of whom fifty-one were males. 

Their first pastor. Rev. John Butler, was installed 
May 1, 1825 ; and continued about seven years. He was 
succeeded by Rev. Samuel Fogg. 

February 23, 1836, Rev. John H. Ingraham was 
ordained pastor of the Baptist churches in East Winthrop 
and Hallowell X Roads, (now Manchester.) April 13, 
1839, at his request, his pastoral labors among them 
ceased. 

From September, 1839, Rev. Daniel E. Burbank min- 
istered to them, till his health failed, and he deceased. 



HISTOEY OF WINTHROP. ' 129 

October 26, 1840, aged twenty-three years. Cut down 
in the morning of his days, and in prospect of extensive 
usefulness. 

October 23, 1840, Rev. Franklin Merriam was ordained 
, their pastor.* He continued their minister till some 
time in 1848. 

January 24, 1849, Ptev. Sampson Powers was ordained 
their pastor. "^^ He remained pastor till the latter part of 
1852. 

Pev. C. AV. Bradbury was their last minister. They 
have no settled minister now. 

Rev. George G. Fairbanks, a member of this church 
and graduate of Waterville College, is now pastor of a 
Baptist church in Somerville, Mass. 

The number of scholars in the Sabbath School, at the 
close of 1854, was one hundred. Their Sabbath School 
Library contains 575 volumes. 

XJNIVEKSALISTS. 

Who first preached or professed to believe, that all 
men would be finally saved in this place, may now be 
difiicult to decide. A preacher, by the name of Barnes, 
occasionally, came from Poland and taught that senti- 
ment. At his meetings at the school house at the Mills, 
a number attended, among whom, at times, it has been 
said, there was no female. They did not have stated 
ministrations, until the year 1819. "A preliminary 
meeting was held December 4, 1818 to consider the pro- 
priety of having a minister. On the 3 1 st of March, 1818, 
Messrs. Moses Johnson, John Morrill, Jacob Nelson, and 



* See Appendix, Note K. 



130 • HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

thirty-eight others formed themselves into a Society 
denominated the Union Society in the towns of Winthrop' 
Readfield and Wayne." This Society was organized into 
a corporate body according to the laws of Mass. They 
employed a minister by the name of Mace, who preached 
in the three towns. A part of the time, they had preach- 
ing in this town half of the time, sometimes less and 
sometimes more. They were supplied by different min- 
isters. This state of things generally, remained, till 
their number had increased, so that August 26, 1837, 
they organized a Society in this Town. In the Pre- 
amble to their Constitution, they say, " We, the sub- 
scribers, feeling desirous to grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, do 
hereby form ourselves into a Society that we may be helps 
to each other and that, by our united energies, we may 
better serve the purpose of religion and faith, we cheer- 
fully accept and subscribe the following constitution. 

Akt. 1. This Society shall be called the first Univer- 
salist Society in Winthrop. 

Akt. 2. The object of this Society shall be the 
promotion of truth and morality among its members, and 
also in the world at large ; and as the gospel of the Lord 
Jesus Christ is calculated above all other truth to inspire 
the heart with emotions of benevolence and virtue, this 
Society shall deem it one of its main objects to support 
the preaching of the gospel according to the society's 
ability, and to aid in any other proper way of spreading 
it among men. 

Aet. 3. Any person sustaining a good moral charac- 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 131 

ter may be admitted a member oi this Society, on 
application to that effect, by a majority of votes at any 
regular meeting. 

Art. 4. It shall be regarded the duty of every member 
to adorn the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ with a 
well ordered life and conversation ; to contribute accord- 
ing to his ability, in the manner determined on by a 
majority, towards the support of public worship and 
other necessary expenses of the society ; to attend upon 
the exercises of the sanctuary, as well as the regular 
meetings of the society forbusinses. A habitual neglect 
of any of these duties shall be regarded sufficient reason 
for striking the name of any member from the roll by a 
vote of the majority." 

The other articles provide for meetings of the society, 
choice of officers, their duties &c. 

Ahouijifty men have signed this constitution, some 
twenty of whom have either deceased, removed, or left 
the society. Many others have been voted in as members, 
who have not subscribed the constitution. Between 1836 
and 1838, Rev. G. Quinby ministered to them. 

In the summer of 1838, they erected a very neat and 
commodious house of worship, opposite the Methodist 
Chapel in the western part of the village. This house 
was dedicated December 25, the same year, on which 
occasion Rev. Mr. Gardiner of Waterville preached. 
Rev. Giles Bailey came Sept. 1839. At his ordination, 
Rev. Mr. Willis of Mass. preached. A church was or- 
ganized near that time consisting of eighteen members. * 



*See Ai3pendix, Note L. 



132 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

Mr. Bailey continued with them until the autumn of 
1842. Rev. Frederic Foster, a native of Haverhill, 
Mass., and graduate of Dartmouth College of 1840, was 
ordained pastor in 1842, and remained about two years. 

Rev. Geo. W. Bates preached with them all the time 
during one year, commencing in 1846. Rev. D. T. 
Stevens succeeded Mr. Bates, and supplied them more, 
than a year. 

Their present minister. Rev. O. H. Johnson, began 
his labors among them in 1853. They have a Sabbath 
school of one hundred and thirteen members, and a Sab- 
bath school library of 400 volumes. 

CHUISTIAN BAI^D CHUBCH. 

Several persons in the south west part of Winthrop, 
united with the Christian Band. They had a house of 
worship just beyond the bounds of this town in Mon- 
mouth. But that house has been removed and become 
a dwelling house. 

FREE WILL BAPTISTS. 

The Free Will Baptists ih Winthrop and Wayne, 
erected a house of worship on the line between the two 
towns. They worshipped there a few years. But in 
consequence of erecting a house of worship at Wayne 
village, the one first named was deserted and has since 
been removed. 

HOUSES rOE, WOESHIP. 

The subject of erecting a house for the public worship 
of God, had been agitated at different times, but no 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 133 

effective measures had been taken to accomplish so im- 
portant and desirable an object. But at their annual 
meeting in March, 1774, they appointed ''Joseph Baker, 
Ichabod How and John Chandler, a committee to build 
a house for public worship, 36 feet long and 30 feet wide-, 
and to set it on lot 57,'^ in the nearest convenient place 
to the center of the town on said lot." 

At a town meeting, July 28, 1774, "Voted, that the 
committee to build the meeting house shall take money 
of the town rates sufficient to buy nails and glass for the 
house. Voted that the common hands that work on said 
house be allowed os. 4d. per day, if they find themselves.'*- 
" This house was glazed, but never finished inside or 
outside,"! 

October 19, 1775, Jonathan Whiting, Joseph Stevens 
and John Chandler were " a committee to effect the fin- 
ishing of the meeting house ; and that this committee 
enclose the lot on which the meeting house is built, as 
soon as may be." 

"November 5, 1781, the town was diviueJ irto tv/o 
parts for public worship, as the water divides it, the 
south pond, so called, the mill stream, the mill pond a'ld 
from the most northerly part of the mill pond, a north 
line to the end of the town. So long as we remain one 
commonwealth, the preaching is to be in equal halves on 
both sides of the town." They agreed to build two 
houses for worship. " Voted, that the east meetixig 
house shall be built on the County road, near Lieut. 
Abraham Wyman's ; and that the dimensions shall be, 
55 feet long, 45 feet wide and 24 feet posts. That the 



* This is the lot on which Mr. M. Haven Metcalf now lives, 
t Letter of Noah Prescot, Esq. 
7 



134 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

west meeting house shall be built on the height of land 
between Ebenezer Davenport's and James Work's, on 
the side of the Town road ; and that the dimensions shall 
be, 50 feet long, 48 feet wide and 23 feet posts. Voted, 
that Jonathan Whiting, Benjamin Brainerd, Samuel 
Poster, Josiah French and Squier Bishop shall be a com- 
mittee for the east side of the town ; and Solomon Stanley, 
Amos Stevens, James Work, James Atkinson and James 
Craig shall be a committee for the west side of the town." 
Each of these committees was " instructed to provide 
materials for building as fast as they can." " Voted to 
assess £100 hard money, to be paid in money, on the east 
side of the town, to procure nails and glass ; and to 
assess £400 on the east side of the town to be paid in 
labor, or materials for building. Voted to assess £80 
hard money, to be paid in money, on the west side of the 
town, to procure nails and glass ; and £320 to provide 
timber for the frame, underpinning, boards and shingles, 
and people are to have liberty to work if they will." 
Neither of these houses was built. 

At the meeting the 21st of January, 1782, a proposal 
was made to re-consider the votes passed for dividing 
the town into east and west divisions, and for erecting 
two houses of worship, which did not prevail. They 
voted, however, to repair the old meeting house " so as 
to be comfortable to meet in for a number of years." 
At a meeting, March 11, "Voted to grant £30 lawful 
money, to be laid out in repairing the meeting house, at 
the best discretion of the committee," who were James 
Craig, Jonathan Whiting and William Pullen. 

November 21, 1782, " Voted to move the meeting for 



HISTOI^Y OF "WDCTHROP. 135 

public worship from tlie meeting house to Mr. Chandler's 
and Mr. Whiting's the ensuing winter, every other Sab- 
bath at each place, in case the inhabitants in the north- 
east part of the town do not desire one-sixth part of the 
preaching, if they do, it is granted them ; likewise the 
north-west part of the town is granted one-sixth part of 
the preaching, in case they desire it." 

January 10, 1785, they "Voted again to divide the 
town into two Parishes, by an east and west line, so that 
the north part shall be about four miles wide and the 
south part about five miles." William Pullen, Joshua 
Bean and Samuel Foster were chosen a committee to sell 
the meeting house. This they probably did, to David 
Woodcock.^ 

May 13, 1786, "Voted that David Woodcock's note 
for the meeting house be given up, and that he return 
the nails of the old meeting house to the town." 

At a meeting, May 8, 1786, the town voted to build 
two meeting houses, the south, on a spot between David 
Woodcock's and William Pullen's. Solomon Stanley, 
Squier Bishop and Nathaniel Fairbanks were appointed 
a committee for building this house. William Whittier, 
Josiah Mitchell and Robert Page, Esq., were chosen a 
committee for building the north house. They also 
agreed to raise four hundred pounds lawful money, to be 
expended in building both houses. 

July 3, the town voted to " build the north meeting 
house on lot No. 136, between the highway and the south 



* Some of the timber of the old meeting house is said to be now 
in the cider mill of ]Mi'. Columbus Fahbanks, 



136 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

line of said lot, about 70 or 80 rods west of Samuel 
Taylor's house." 

At a meeting, June 12, Amos Stevens and Daniel 
Marrow were added to the committee for building the 
south meeting house ; and it was decided that the house 
be fifty by forty feet. The Selectmen were to procure a 
convenient site for the house. The committee were 
instructed to procure timber for the house, and to proceed 
immediately to frame and raise it ; and to give the people 
opportunity to work and find such materials for the house 
as they could most easily provide ; and that they should 
use, as far as practicable, the productions of the country 
in erecting the house. 

*' May 9, 1791, voted to raise one hundred pounds to 
finish the outside of the meeting house, and to build a 
porch over the front door. Capt. Solomon Stanley, Amos 
Stevens and Benjamin Fairbanks were chosen a committee 
for this purpose." 

May, 1792, fifty pounds were raised towards finishing 
the meeting house. 

At the town meeting, April, 1794, the committee 
appointed to finish the outside of the meeting house, 
reported that they had accomplished the object of their 
appointment, and the report was accepted by the town. 
The town, at this meeting, *' voted that the Baptists may 
have the improvement of the meeting house two Sabbaths 
out of five, and to begin to occupy it the third Sabbath 
from this date."^' 

April, 1800, " the town voted to dispose of the meeting 
house to the first Congregational Society, on conditions, 

* Tliis is the house wliicli, for some years past, has been used as 
the Tow-n House. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 137 

that said Society will finisli said house in such, a term 
of time as shall be agreed on by a committee this day 
appointed by the town, viz : Jedediah Prescot, John 
Comings and William Hichards, and by a committee to 
be appointed by said Society, and selling the pew ground 
to any persons in said town of Winthrop, who shall 
choose to purchase, at public auction. The town reserv- 
ing to themselves the privilege of said house for a Town 
House ; provided said Society will give as much for said 
house, (if- any thing,) as three disinterested men, viz : 
John Hubbard, Esq., Capt. John Evans and Robert Page, 
Esq., shall judge they ought, taking into view every 
circimistance." They then chose Benjamin Fairbanks 
and Nathaniel Fairbanks a committee " to represent the 
circumstances relating' to the meetino; house to the above 
referees." 

At the meeting of the town. May 5, the committee 
appointed to say what the town should receive as com- 
pensation for their mxceting house, should it be conveyed 
to the first Congregational Society in said town, " having 
examined said house, do report that, the town shall con- 
vey said house to said Society upon conditions that said 
Society shall finish said house and continue to keep it in 
good repair for the use of said town, as expressed in the 
vote passed at the April miceting, so long as they shall 
continue a Society ; and if they shall be dissolved a$ a 
Society, the house which shall then be standing, shall 
revert to the town, as their exclusive property. 

JOHN HUBBAKD, ) 

JOHN EVANS, V Committee. 
IIOBERT PAGE, j 

Winthrop, May 2, 1800." 



138 HISTORY OF WINTimOP. 

" The town voted to accept tliis report on condition 
tliat the said Society will reserve four pews, or seats to 
that amount, on the lower floor, and as many in the 
galleries, in proportion to the bigness of the floor, for 
the use of the town : said pews or seats to be in as 
eligible a situation as the pews or seats are, take them 
together." 

The house was finished, and although the first Con- 
gregational Parish was dissolved by an act of the General 
Court of Massachusetts, in 1806, yet the Congregational 
Society continued to occupy the house until August 7, 
1825. A solemn and affecting farewell was taken of the 
house, as a place of worship, in a discourse from Deut. 
8 : 2. There, nearly forty years, the people of God had 
been accustomed to assemble to attend on his worship 
and ordinances, to humble themselves before him, to 
supplicate his mercy and celebrate his praise. Taking 
leave of a place, around which so many hallowed associa- 
tions clustered, could not fail to awaken strong emotions. 
Numerous reminiscences of the most touching and inter- 
esting character were called up. Few were the bosoms 
which did not swell and eyes which did not freely weep. 

The first Parish had erected a house,^' decent in appear- 
ance, commodious in size and structure, convenient in 
location, in which to celebrate divine worship. Three 
days after bidding adieu to the old house they met in the 
new one, and, with appropriate religious services, solemnly 
dedicated it to Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

On that occasion, however, the gladness and joy of 

* That which they now occupy. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 139 

having succeeded in obtaining wliat had been ardently 
desired, were mingled with very mournful and distressing 
recollections of what occurred at raising the frame of the 
building in which they were then convened. On the 
ninth of June, 1824, a numerous company was gathered. 
There was no intemperance, profaneness or noise. The 
calmness, harmony, dispatch and success, which attended 
the enterprise, until more than half the rafters were in 
their places, were unusual. One spirit of cheerful antici- 
pation appeared to animate the whole company of active 
laborers, and spectators. But suddenly the scene was 
changed. A beam broke, the shoring not being suffi- 
cient, and from thirty to forty men, mingled with a ton 
or t,vo of timber, were precipitated a distance of twenty- 
six feet I It seemed almost miraculous that half of them 
were not killed upon the spot. Yet, some were scarcely 
hurt, others slightly, some seriously, and three mortally 
wounded. But the scene beggars description. The 
lamentations of neighbor for suffering neighbor, of brother 
for suffering brother, of children for father, of fathers for 
sons, of wives for husbands, were enough to melt the 
heart. But the groans of the wounded and dying, were 
^ruly agonizing. One, who had been married not two 
full months, laid speechless and unconscious for a few 
hours, and yelded up the ghost. ^' Another, lingered in 
a state of excruciating distress till about noon the follow- 
ing day, and died, leaving his afflicted widow overwhelmed 
with grief.f Another, for whose recovery considerable 



* Warren Pullen. 
t Paul Ladd. 



140 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

hope was entertained, on the morning of tlie tliird day 
after the fearful catastrophe, exhibited symptoms which 
awakened the most alarming apprehensions among his 
sorrow smitten friends. Before the going down of the 
sun, the lamp of life was extinguished.* Thus another 
widow and three fatherless children were added to the 
group of unexpected and distressed mourners. " Shall 
there be evil in the city and the Lord hath not done 
it ? " Amos 3:6. *' Be still and know that I am God." 
Psalm 46 : 10. 

MINISTERIAL FUND. 

Tt does not appear that the town took any action in 
regard to the lot of land given by the Plymouth Com- 
pany for the use of the ministry in Winthrop, after the 
incorporation of Readfield into a town, until their meeting 
in November, 1798, when they "voted to instruct Col. 
Fairbanks, their agent, to confer with the select men of 
E-eadfield, who are concerned, and if they and the town 
of Readfield consent, to apply to the general Court for 
leave to sell it." This they did, and obtained an act of 
the general Court, Feb. 18, 1799. The sale amounted 
to 8157 6,60. the proportion which Winthrop received 
was 8840, 85. As they had no settled minister at that 
time, the money was loaned and the interest added to the 
principal until about 1816. 

It will be observed that for some years the town had 
granted no money to sustain the institutions of the gospel 
among them. From 1806, when they began again to 
raise money for this purpose by a tax, several individuals 

* Francis Ho}i;. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 141 

were dissatisfied. They did not wisli to pay tlieir money 
to aid in the inculcation of religious sentiments, which 
they did not believe. Leading men in the town main- 
tained, that a tax could not be legally assessed and 
collected, unless all liable to be taxed were assessed. 
The town were willing all, who desired to be exempted 
from being taxed, should be, provided they would take 
measures to be legally exempted, as they all might be. 

May 1798, the town voted to raise one hundred dollars 
to hire preaching and to have it " assessed, collected and 
paid in to the town treasurer in six months. Jedediah 
Prescot Esq., Elijah Fairbanks and Amos Stevens were 
chosen to appropriate the money." 1799, voted not to 
raise any. 

"Jan. 20, 1800, the town remitted the ministerial tax 
voted in 1798 in the bills of Moses Joy collector, to the 
following persons agreeably to their desire viz. Benjamin 
Fairbanks, William Richards, Samuel Foster, Joel White, 
Seth Delano, Asa Robbins, Paul Sears, Ephraim Stevens, 
Moses Wadsworth, Daniel Robbins Jr., David Foster, 
Josiah French, Steuart Foster, Aaron Wadsworth."*" 

Accordingly, at a meeting of the town, Jan. 8, 1810, 
" they voted, that Nathaniel Bishop, Benjamin Fairbanks, 
Seth Delano, Elijah Fairbanks, Daniel Foster, Benjamin 
Fairbanks, Jr., Elijah Fairbanks, Jr., Asa Robbins, Enos 
Fairbanks, Eleazar Robbins, Rial Stanley, Nathan F. 
Cobb, and Thomas Jacobs, may be incorporated into a 
regular Society by the name of the Methodist Society in 
Winthrop." At a meeting, the 5th of Feb. they voted 
" not to grant liberty to the Methodist Society to poll 
to and from the said society." The town declined acting 

* Town| records. 



142 HISTORY OF WINTHllOP. 

on tlie request of the Methodist " for their proportion of 
the ministerial fund given for the support of the ministry." 

Feburary 1811, the Methodists in town were incorpor- 
ated into a society, and according to the laws of Mass- 
achusetts, the remaining inhabitants, as regards ecclesias- 
tical concerns, were the successors of the town and 
denominated the First Parish. '^' In this capacity, they 
claimed the ministerial fund. In 1 816, " the First Parish" 
proposed to pay the interest of the ministerial fund to- 
wards the salary of the minister. Many thought this 
would be a perversion of the money, as there were other 
denominations in town, who claimed equal right to a 
share of the fund to support their ministers. The fund 
now amounted to $2837.34. 

This fund now became a source of very unhappy con- 
tention. The Parish sued the town and in 181 9, obtained 
a decision of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, that 
the fund belonged to them. But some law questions 
remained unsettled, until Maine became a separate State 
in 1820. The case was then brought before the Supreme 
Court of Maine, and they decided in the same way. 
But that did not settle the difficulty. Many of the in- 
habitants believed they had a moral right to their portion 
of- the income of the fund. 

In Feburary 1832, the Parish, in order to allay the 
unhappy dissentions which had so long prevailed, agreed 
to yield up the ministerial fund to the town, on the con- 
dition that the interest arising from the fund should be 
annually appropriated to the support of the town schools, 
provided, an act of the Legislature be obtained giving 
authority thus to appropriate it. This was done, and 
thus the contention has ceased. 



* See the act in Appendix Note I. 



CHAPTER YIII. 

Morals — The 'Winthrop Society for the promotion of good morals 
— Temperance — Efforts made by the town to effect a reforma- 
tion of morals — Temperance tavern — Sons of Temperance — 
Watchman's Club — Anti-Slavery — Society for Mutual Improve- 
ment — Agricultm-al Societies — Kennebec Agricultm-al Society 
— Literary Societies — Anderson Institution — Fraiilvlin Society 
— Lyceums. 

MORALS. 

*' Srx is a reproach, to any people." The state of morals 
in a community goes far tov/ards determining the degree 
of estimation in which they are entitled to be held. A 
people free from vicious principles and practices deserves 
to stand higher than one, in which, a laxness of moral 
principles and practice prevails. A morality, based on 
the principles of the gospel, gives respectability and worth, 
to any place. 

During the first half of the present century, from 1800 
to about 1850, the people of Wmthrop were distinguish- 
ed for the general prevalence of sound morality. If 
their morals were not as corrupt as some others, they 
certainly were not as pure as desirable. Individuals 



144 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

began to feel impressed \vitli tlic duty of making more 
direct and energetic efforts to stay the progress of vice 
than had been made. The preservation and improvement 
of morals in a community have ever formed an object of 
high importance in the estimation of all wise and good 
men. At a time when vice prevails to such a degree, as 
justly to occasion grief and alarm to all considerate per- 
sons, it is especially incumbent upon the friends of order 
and piety to combine their efforts to arrest its progress. 
Convinced of the present need of reformation, and be- 
lieving that a righteous God will succeed suitable meas- 
ures for the prevention of evils alike destructive of 
domestic and social enjoyment and of the eternal welfare 
of men, and for the promotion of good morals, a number 
of persons in Winthrop deemed it advisable that a 
society should be formed for the purpose of attempting 
to effect a reformation of morals among us. Articles 
proposed as the basis of. a Constitution had been signed 
by upwards of forty persons, and previous notice having 
been given, a meeting of the subscribers was held, March 
27, 1815, for the purpose of organizing a society, which 
was styled 

THE WINTHKOP SOCIETY FOR THE PEOMOTION OE GOOD 

MOKALS."'-' 

The following were elected officers of the society, viz. 
SAMUEL WOOD, Esq., President. 
T^ov. ZECHARIAH GIBSON, Cor. ScrVy. 

* See Appendk Note M. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 145 

Rev. DAVID THURSTON, Recording Secretary. 

Mr. DANIEL HAYWARD, Treasurer. 

Rev. ROBERT LOW, "] 

Dea. CHARLES HARRIS, I 

Mr. SAMUEL THING, J> Committee. 

Dea. JOSEPH METCALF, I 

Mr. CHARLES ROBBINS, J 

Resolved, That we highly approve the efforts which 
are making by various Associations in our country to 
arrest the progress of vice and raise the morals of our 
fellow citizens, and that we pledge them, particularly the 
" Massachusetts Society for suppressing intemperance" 
our sincere and cordial cooperation. 

Resolved, That we will afford our encouragement and 
aid to the tithingmen in this town, that they may be 
enabled, with greater effect, discreetly and faithfully to 
discharge the difficult duties of their office." 

The Recording Secretary was requested " to procure 
fifteen copies of the Pamphlet, published by the Mid- 
dlesex Convention, to promote the better observance of 
the Lord's day, for the use of the tithingmen in this 
town." At a meeting of the Society, October 2, 1815, 
* ' the Standing Committee were requested to procure 500 
copies of a printed Address to be distributed among the 
youth of this town, upon the duty and importance of 
more generally attending public worship on the Lord's 
day." 

TEMPEEANCE. 

Dram drinking in stores was becoming an appalling 
evil. At the meenng of the Society March 25, ISIG, the 

Standing Committee were instructed to take such meas- 
7:^ 



146 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

ures as their discretion might dictate, to prevent the evils 
resulting from the present mode of retailing spirituous 
liquors at the stores. In September the society instruct- 
ed their committee to circulate the Address of President 
Appleton, D. D., delivered before the Massachusetts 
Society for suppressing intemperance, particularly among 
the members of this society ; and to take such other 
measures as they shall deem expedient to awaken the 
public mind to the importance of reform in regard to the 
manner of retailing spirituous liquors. At the meeting in 
October, the use of spirituous liquors was discussed and 
after the reading of a very interesting circular addressed 
by the committee of the Bedford Society for the suppres- 
sion of vice, to the venders of spirituous liquors, it was 

Resolved, that this society view the use of spirit- 
uous liquors, except as a medicine, or in some rare cases, 
as injurious, and that in the present state of things, 
civility does not require and expediency does not permit 
their being used as a part of hospitable entertainment 
in social visits. Passed unanimously. 

Much pains were taken by personal interviews with 
the store keepers and by printed addresses, to prevail on 
them to desist from the practice of dealing out drams to 
" be drunken in and about their shops," and they were 
distinctly told, that unless they ceased this dreadful work 
of making drunkards, it was " the fixed determination of 
the society to have the law regulating the sale of spirit- 
uous liquors strictly enforced ^ 

At the meeting of the society, March 1817, "a com- 
mittee was appointed to consult the Supreme Judicial 
Court, as to the best mode of preventing the sale of 



HISTORY OF WINTIIROP. 



147 



ardent spirits by the small quantity, i. e. by tbe glass, or 
gill, as practiced by the storekeepers in this Town and 

County." 

At the meeting in October following, the committee 
reported that they had been unsuccessful in their labors 
with the storekeepers. Rev. Mr. Gillet of Ilallowell 
preached a very appropriate discourse before the society 
from James 5 : 20. Various plans were devised to pre- 
vent the fearful evils of intemperance by endeavoring to 
prevail on men to use intoxicating drinks only moderately. 
But just as long as moderate drinking was countenanced, 
not a few would become drunkards. 

In March 1818, the society altered their constitution, 
so as to embrace the establishment and patronage of 
Sabbath Schools as a means of promoting correct morals. 
At the same meeting the society resolved to attempt to 
establish a Sabbath school in each school district in 
town. Rev. Mr. Tappan of Augusta was invited to de- 
liver a discourse before the society at the next semi- 
annual meeting. But for some reason, he did not. At 
the meeting in September it was stated, that " in seven 
districts. Sabbath schools had been commenced 5nd con- 
tinued for different periods and with various success ; but 
in all, with so much as to afford encouragement for 

future exertion." 

In April, 1819, a law had been recently passed, mak- 
ing it a penal offence to furnish intemperate persons with 
spirituous liquors, gratis or otherwise ; and" every vender 
of spirituous liquors, Avho shall permit any minor, tipler, 
common drunkard, or gambler to remain in his house or 
store, or any part thereof, exposes himself to a fine of 



148 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

ten dollars in addition to the forfeiture of former laws; 
and if lie furnish any such person with any kind of strong 
drink, he forfeits his license and the privilege of having 
^t renewed again for three years." 

The selectmen were authorized to post the names of 
common drunkards in all public places in town where 
spirituous liquors were sold, forbidding the venders to 
sell to any such person.*^ The society requested the 
selectmen to post two individuals, after giving them 
notice that they should do it, if they persisted in their 
present habits. The selectmen did not post either of 
them, " as one of them had not frequented the stores as 
formerly and the other had been more regular." From 
this date, the principal efforts of the society were direct- 
ed to the organizing and maintaining of Sabbath schools, 
till the close of 1832, when the society was discontinued. 
The churches had adopted the institution as one of their 
instrumentalities. 

EFrOKTS MADE BY THE TOWN TO EEFECT A EEFOKMA- 
TION OF MORALS. 

At a meeting of the town, April 6, 1830, they "voted 
to accept the following Preamble and Resolve, offered by 
Samuel Wood, Esq. : 

Whereas, This is an age of reformation in regard to 
the unnecessary use of distilled spirits, and inasmuch as 
towns in their corporate capacity should do something to 
check the progress of this alarming evil, some efforts 
having been made by individuals of this tovm to ascertain 

* See Appendix Note M. 



HISTC-UY OP WINTHROP. 149 

the quantity which has been annually retailed in the 
village in this town, (exclusive of Innholders,) and it 
appearing from an investigation of the subject, by an 
actual reference to the bills of the merchants, who have 
kindly and willingly furnished the information needed, 
with the exception of one, who declined, for reasons best 
known to himself; but the quantity which he sold being 
estimated during the time he sold, on an average with the 
other merchants ; that the enormous quantity vended in 
said village, in six years, commencing January 1, 1824, 
and ending January 1, 1830, amounts to 23,159 1-4 gal- 
lons, which, estimating "West India rum at $1,10, New 
England rum at 42 cents, gin at $1,25, and brandy at 
$1,60 per gallon, which is calculated to be their average 
price during said time, amounts to the consumers to no 
less a sum than $19,541,09, or annually, $3,260,18; 
and on the supposition that one half of it was consumed 
by the inhabitants of this town, it is believed to be a 
very low estimate, there having been, generally, during 
said time, one store in* the west part of the town and 
another in the east, and many of the inhabitants of this 
town obtaining their supplies from other towns, it will 
appear that the inhabitants of this town have paid annu- 
ally for the articles above named, an amount of money 
but little short of all their other money taxes, during the 
same term ; and the town of Winthrop has always been 
considered a temperate town. Notwithstanding this is 
undoubtedly true, as to a very large portion of the inhab- 
itants, yet there is an alarming evil stalking among us, 
which is believed to be caused in no small degree by 



150 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

licensing so many to retail spirits by small quantities, 
which renders it thus easily obtained ; and inasmuch as 
we are desirous of lessening the effects of this serious 
evil, and are also desirous, for the benefit of the present 
and rising generations, that our deliberate opinion on this 
subject may be entered on the records of this town; 
therefore. 

Resolved, That the use of ardent spirits, in health, or 
as a part of social entertainment, is a heavy and unneces- 
sary tax on the community and destructive to the morals 
of society, and that it is not our duty as a town to tempt 
men to use it by licensing any individuals, except Inn- 
holders, to sell it to be drunk in their stores or shops, 
and that we will not recommend to the officers of this 
town to do it, or pass any vote authorizing such a meas- 
ure." 

December, 1832, the town "instructed the Selectmen 
and town Agent to discountenance the violation of the 
law in relation to the sale of ardent spirits, and to take 
proper measures to prevent the violation of said law in 
future, and also to carry into effect the law with regard 
to posting drunkards and tipplers." 

April, 1836, "Voted not to license any person to sell 
ardent spirits in town the ensuing year in a less quantity 
than twenty-eight gallons ; and that the town Agent be 
directed to prosecute all violations of the license law." 

Several other temperance societies have been formed. 
Very many sermons, addresses, and lectures have been 
given, in which the appalling evils resulting from the 
use of intoxicating liquors have been faithfully portray- 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 151 

ed. The sinfulness of indulging that morhid appetite 
has been shown. The constitution of the first society 
organized on the principles or Total Abstinence from all 
intoxicating beverages is not to be found. It was adopt- 
ed early in the progress of the reform, and a very respec- 
table number kept the pledge. 

TEMPEKANCE TAYEKN. 

The first tavern, on the principle of total abstinence in 
the town, if not in the State, or the country, was kept 
by Dea. Daniel Carr. This was a thorough total absti- 
nence house. It w^as not like many others, having 
out the sign of Temperance, but still keeping the means 
of making drunkards in some obscure part of their house. 
Many travelers were in the habit of saying, that there 
was no tavern, in which they could not obtain intoxicating 
drinks. But they could never find it at Dea. Carr's, for 
the very substantial reason, that it was not there. 

■WASHi:^GT0XIAN SOCIETY. 

The Washingtonian Society was formed October 15, 

1841. The first officers were, 

JAMES C. HOWARD, President, 

WADSWORTH FOSTER, ) 

LORING FOSS, > Vice Presidents. 

CALVIN RICHARDSON, ) 

ROBERT L. JACKSON, Secretary, 

DAVID STANLY, Treasurer, 

EXECUTIYE COMMITTEE. 

S. Lewis Clauk, Moses Joy. 

LixGAN Curtis, John Dorsett, 

E. P. Stevens, John O. Wing, 

EzEA Whitman, Jr. 



152 HISTORY OF WINTHEOP. 

SONS OF TEMPERAlSrCE. 

The Sons of Temperance, under the title of United 
Brothers, Division No. 44, were organized October 16, 
1846. Their whole number was 88. They paid to sick 
members during their existence $214,00.. 

watchman's club. 

In the winter of 1850 a Watchman's Club, No. 71 of 
the Order, was formed. This organization was commenc- 
ed in Durham in this State, in the spring of 1849. The 
specific object of this association was, to procure the en- 
actment of a stringent prohibitory law against the sale 
of intoxicating liquors. 

The Legislature for 1851 was elected mainly upon the 
temperance issue, and in the course of the session they 
enacted a law for the suppression of *' drinking houses 
and tippling shops." This enactment embodied some 
principles of organic law, which had never before been 
applied to the temperance cause. It produced a great 
sensation in this State and in other States, and thus came 
to be denominated the " Maine Law." This Law greatly 
encouraged the hearts of temperance reformers, and sent 
confusion into the tents of the traffickers. The Watch- 
men thus early having obtained the object of their desire, 
now zealously embraced this law and determined to see 
that it was thoroughly executed. This was no part of the 
duty of " Divisions" in their associated capacity, and as 
it was not judged necessary to have two organizations for 
a similar purpose, the Division was dissolved, May 23, 
1851, that they might add strength to the Club. " Moral 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 153 

suasion," had been tried, till its power was well nigli ex- 
hausted. The necessity for a judicious and faithful ex- 
ecution of the Law became constantly more apparent. 
The Club set themselves in earnest to stop the nefarious 
traffic and not without effect. 

There have also been organized a Marth Washington 
Society — a Division of the Daughters of Temperance, or 
the Band, The Union Temperance Society, and a Juvenile 
Tem23erance Society. All of them have rendered valua- 
ble aid to the cause of temperance. 

It is a matter of just lamentation and deep grief, that 
after all these efforts, a drunkard, or the means of making 
one, should be found in the place. To what a depth of 
depravity that individual must have reached, what a per- 
fect wreck of all the sympathies of our common humanity 
must he have made, who at this day, in this place, for 
the paltry gains of rumselling, will continue to gratify 
the morbid appetite of the inebriate, injure his health, 
destroy the domestic peace of the family, demoralize his 
character, ruin his reputation and thus facilitate his pro- 
gress to the drunkard's grave and the drunkard's eternity. 
What employment does so effectually steel men's hearts 
to such a degree, as the liquor traffic ? The squalid 
poverty, the wretchedness, the tears, the agonizing en- 
treaties of wives and children occasioned by it, cannot 
prevail on those engaged in it to desist. 

ANTI-SLAYEHY. 

The first Anti-slavery sermons, showing the inherent 
sinfulness of slaveholding in the United States, and the 



154 HISTOPwY OP WINTHROP. 

duty of immediate emancipation, were preaclied by tlie 
pastor of the Congregational church, November 21, 1833. 
An Anti-slavery Society was organized, on the princi- 
ple of immediate abolition, embracing one hundred and 
seven members, March 4, 1834. The officers were, 
Rev. DAVID THURSTON, President, 

Dea. JOSEPH METCALF, ) y. p^,,^^,„;. 
Dr. EZEKIEL HOLMES, j "^^^^ ^resiaents, 

Mr. STEPHEN SEW ALL, Secretary, 
Mr. SAMUEL CORDIS, Treasurer. 

The Society, at their meetings, which all were invited 
to attend, discussed the subject. For they held it as a 
sacred, invaluable right, that men might freely discuss 
any subject, involving the principles of morality, or the 
innate right of men, as men, to " life, liberty and the 
pursuit of happiness." They purchased' and distributed 
books and tracts on the subject. They established an 
Anti-slavery Library, and observed the monthly concert 
of prayer for the enslaved. 

A Female Anti-slavery Society did worthily for the 
cause of the oppressed, by their instructions and contri- 
butions. 

A Juvenile Anti-slavery Society had been organized, 
and was addressed, March 29, 1838. The object of the 
Society was to inform them in regard to the character of 
slavery, that they might be convinced of its sinfulness, 
so as never to become slaveholders, or be the apologists 
of a system fraught with such dire evils. By reading the 
" Slaves Friend," and other publications on the subject, 
they would imbibe such views and receive such impres- 



HISTORY OF WINTHEOP. 155 

sions that would tend powerfully to prevent tlieir becom- 
ing slaveholders. If all the young, in the New England 
States even, had been suitably instructed and trained on 
the subject of human rights, slavery would have lost one 
of its principal supports. 

SOCIETY FOR MUTUAL IMPOYEMENT.* 

Although this Society was not confined to Winthrop, 
yet a report of the first Directress to Mrs. Tappan, then 
Secretary, will give some idea of what the females in 
Winthrop were then doing for benevolent purposes. 
The report is therefore given. The following were the 
ofiicers of the Society for the year 1837. 

1st. Directress, Mrs. David Thuhston, Winthrop. 
2d. Directress, Mrs. Benjamin Tappan, Augusta. 
Sec. and Treasurer^ Mrs. Thomas Adams, Waterville. 

Winthrop, June 22, 1837. 
My dear Mrs. Tappan : — In compliance with the pro- 
visions of the Constitution of the Society for Mutual 
Improvement, I have the satisfaction to report, that our 
Maternal Association embraces among its members the 
greater part of the mothers in the cAwrc/i.f Our meet- 
ings were held once in two weeks, and, during the past 
year, have been attended with a good degree of punctu- 
ality. A few cases of hopeful conversion have taken 

* See Appendix Note N. 

t The object'of the Association was to assist mothers to a better 
imderstanding and more efficient performance of their highly re- 
sponsible duties. For this purpose, they met, consulted and 
prayed together. 



156 . HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

place within the year in the families of some of the 
mothers. There is also a female prayer meeting attended 
every other week, quite as numerously attended the past 
year, and with as much, if not more, interest, than in 
former years. 

The female Moral Reform Society now numbers about 
one hundred members. It embraces females of different 
denominations. The meetings have been kept up once 
a fortnight without any abatement in interest. Several 
copies of the Advocate of Moral Reform are taken by 
the Society for the purpose of distribution. A degree 
of assurance is felt that the society is exerting a consid- 
erable influence of a very salutary character. 

A female Anti-Slavery Society has been recently or- 
ganized, including some of different denominations, which 
promises to be a valuable auxiliary in delivering from that 
degrading, soul-destroying system, by which more than a 
million of our sisters are enslaved. This society is 
calling forth an increased sympathy for those of our sex 
in this land, who have no protection for their persons, 
their reputation or their virtue. 

A sewing circle, composed of young ladies who meet 
once in two weeks, has been kept up with a good degree 
of interest. They appropriate the avails of their labor 
to various benevolent objects ; and have accomplished as 
much, if not more than in any preceding year. 

"We have also a female juvenile society which meets 
once in three weeks. These meetings are attended by 
two members of the church, one of whom reads, while 
the other superintends the Vv^ork. They devote the avails 
of their labor to some charitable object. One prominent 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 157 

design of the meeting is to have the members early ac- 
quire the habit of doing good. 

I had been making my arrangem.ents and fondly 
anticipating the pleasure of meeting my beloved sifters 
at the approaching anniversaries, but the piovidence of our 
heavenly Father calls in ; to remain etthome to watch over 
the sick. Grateful for the respect shown ms in placing 
me first on the list of officers, I am constrained to 
request, sincerely and earnestly, that some other may be 
appointed as first Directress. 

Praying that you may enjoy the presence and blessing 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am your affectionate sister, 

P. B. THURSTON." 

MORAL reform: SOCIETY. 

The reading of McDowell's Journal, which he began 
to publish in the city of New York, in 1833, awakened 
the attention of several of the good women in Winthrop, 
to the prevalent, soul-destroying sin of lewdness. Their 
sympathies were aroused. The dangers to which the 
purity of their own children was exposed, were presented 
in a new and alarming light. They met, prayed, consulted, 
and, in 1833, formed the " Female Moral Reform Soci- 
ety." Besides contributing directly to the Parent Society, 
they paid for several copies of the Journal, while that 
was published, and then for a larger number of the 
" Advocate of Moral Reform," which they distributed. 
Notwithstanding the odium attempted to be cast upon 
these efforts, they have been prodnc ive of immense good 
to the cause of moral ^'^'.r-iy. 
8 



158 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

Several otlier Societies, in different neigliborlioods, for 
the promotion of objects of benevolence, have been or- 
ganized. Missionary Associations have rendered impor- 
tant aid in providing the means of salvation for the 
destitute. These efforts have had a very wholesome 
influence upon the members. To practice self-denial for 
the sake of doing good to others, directly counteracts the 
native selfishness of the heart. It expands the soul and 
prepares men to devise liberal things, 

If the people of Winthrop have not been renowned 
for their public spirit and large heartedness, some of them 
have been liberal and have done well for the various ob- 
jects of benevolence. To what good cause have they not 
contributed ? To what benevolent enterprize have they 
not lent their aid ? The funds of the Bible Society, the 
Education, Misssionary, domestic and foreign, the Tract, 
Moral Reform, Anti-Slavery and Temperance Societies 
have all been increased by their donations. That they 
have done as much as they should is not pretended. But 
if the people in all other towns had done as much in 
proportion to their means as those, who have contributed 
in Winthrop, the treasuries of our eleemosynary institu- 
tions would have been far better replenished than they 
have been. 

AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETIES. 

Prior to 1818, a Society had been organized with a 
view to improve the art of husbandry and to elevate the 
calling of the husbandman. Not a few of the young men 
were beginning to look upon farming as rather a low 
employment. They were aspiring to something higher. 
Appearing to forget, that this was the original employ- 



HISTOBY OP WINTHROP. 159 

ment of man, and that those, in all other occupations 
are sustained by it, they were disposed to hold the tillers 
of the soil as not in a very honorable position. " The 
profit of the earth is for all ; the king himself is served 
by the field." Ecclesiastes 5 : 9. The efi'orts of the 
Society gave such promise of success, that they obtained 
an act of incorporation from the Legislature of Mass., 
February 21, 1818. Alexander Belcher, Peleg Benson, 
David Foster, Charles Harris, Dean Howard, Nathan 
Howard, Joseph Metcalf, Issachar Snell, Joseph Tinkham, 
Enoch Wood, Elijah Wood and Samuel Wood, were the 
corporators. The first meeting under this act was held, 
July 4, 1818. The officers then chosen, were, 

SAMUEL WOOD, Presideiit, 

NEHEMIAH PIERCE, Vice President, 

JOSEPH METCALF, Corresponding Secretary, 

ALEXANDER BELCHER, Treasurer, 

DAVID THURSTON,^ 
PELEG BENSON, 
ISSACHAR SNELL, > Trustees. 
JOSEPH NORRIS, 
DAVID FOSTER, 

At the annual meeting, March 7, 1832, that the Society 
might conform to an act then recently passed by the 
Legislature of Maine, the name was changed to that of the 

KENNEBEC AGKICULTT7KAL SOCIETY. 

The officers for that year, were, 

SAMUEL WOOD, President, 

GEORGE W. STANLEY, Vice President, 

ELIJAH WOOD, Corresponding Secretary^ 



IGO HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

SAMUEL BENJAMIN, Recording Secretary, 

SAMUEL CHANDLER, Treasurer, 

WILLIAM C. FULLER, Collector, 

SAMUEL P. BENSON, ) 
ELIJAH WOOD, \ Trustees. 

NATHAN FOSTER, j 

Tlie efforts of the Society to improve the art of hus- 
bandry were very successful. Some of the most skilful 
cultivators of the soil among us entered into the subject 
with a zeal and perseverance which gave a new impulse 
to the important and noble cause. They were accustomed 
to assign tasks, or experiments, to individuals, in order 
to ascertain what kind of soils was best adapted to specific 
crops. Divers experiments were tried, and their results 
were reported and discussed at the meetings of the Society. 
Thus, much valuable, practical information was gained, 
which gave considerable celebrity to the farmers in Win- 
throp. The Trustees made annual reports in writing. 
Some of these were elaborate productions, which, through 
the press, found their way to many a husbandman, beyond 
the' limits of the town. The influence of this Society 
was felt in the adjacent- towns ; and contributed not a 
little towards the formation of other Societies, particularly, 
the North and South Kennebec Agricultural Societies. 
It also had an influence in the establishment of kindred 
Societies in other portions of the State. It prepared the 
way for the introduction of the Annual Exhibition of 
Agricultural and Horticultuial products, of improvements 
in the implements of husbandry, and the "cattle shows." 
On all these occasions, they were accustomed to have a 



HISTOHY OF WINTHEOP. 161 

public address, which generally, was printed in news- 
papers or pamphlets. The present officers, chosen Feb- 
7, 1855, are, 

FRANCIS FULLER, Winthrop, President, 
HOWARD B. LOVEJOY, Fayette, 1st Vice Pres., 
. JOHN MAY, Winthrop, 2d Vice President, 
OAKES HOWARD, Winthrop, Sd Vice President, 
DAVID CARGILL, Winthrop, Record' g Secretary, 
EZEKIEL HOLMES, Winthrop, Cor. Secretary, 
RUSSEL EATON, Augusta, Treasr Sf Lilrarian, 
DANIEL A. FAIRBANKS, Angiista, ) 
S. H. RICHARDSON, Readfield, \ Trustees. 
DANIEL TRUE, Wayne, ) 

S. N. WATSON, Fayette, Agent 8f Collector, 

The Society is prosecuting its useful labors with vigor- 
ous enterprise, skill and success. 

LITERARY SOCIETIES. 

Among the early settlers, were some very inquiring, 
investigating minds. They were not disposed to receive 
sentiments on trust. They often met and discussed 
philosophical, metaphysical or moral subjects. In these 
interviews, much thought v/as elicited. All their mental 
powers were called into vigorous and healthful exercise. 
Their minds were thus expanded and strengthened. 
They acquired the power of reasoning with consocutivp 
force. They, indeed, needed some one more " thoroughly 
instructed in the things pertaining to the kingdom of 
God," to throw light upon their inquiring minds. Some 
of them were led into important errors, and became 
skeptical in regard to revealed religion. They narrowly 



162 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

escaped making " shipwreck of the faith ;" and had not 
God graciously interposed, by the pouring out of his Spirit, 
in 1799 and 1800, some of them would, doubtless, have 
plunged into the dark, fearful gulph of infidelity. 

The Social Library which they established, contained 
some choice reading. Several have been successively 
established since, in different sections of the town. But 
the multiplication of periodicals has, to some extent, 
superseded the use of Libraries. But this, instead of 
having expanded and strengthened the intellect, or im- 
proved the heart, by rendering its moral principles more 
sound and strong, has rather induced a superficial mode 
of reasoning, and laxness of moral principle. 

Different Societies were instituted at different periods, 
d 3 signed and adapted to develop and strengthen the 
intellect and to correct the obliquities of the heart. 
Among these may be mentioned the 

ANDEESON INSTITUTION. 

This was organized March 20, 1827. The first article 
of the Constitution was, " The object shall be mutual 
instruction in the sciences, as connected with the mechanic 
arts and agriculture ; and the discussion of such subjects 
as are of a practical nature and have a bearing on the 
common concerns of life." Members were to pay to the 
Society two dollars annually, except minors, who paid 
one dollar. The regular meetings were held monthly ; 
special meetings, at the discretion of the Directors. The 
payment of ten dollars at a time, constituted Life Mem- 
bership. The officers were, a President, Secretary and 
Treasurer, who, with two others, were the Directors. 



HISTORY OF WINTHEOP. 163'' 

They were elected annually. There were thirty-nine 
members. The first officers were, 

THOMAS J. LEE, President, 

PLINY HARRIS, Secretary, 

SAMUEL BENJAMIN, Treasurer, 

ISSACHAR SNELL, > ^. 

JOSEPH FAIRBANKS, ) -L^^^^^^^ors. 

April 3, a lecture was given, on the first principles of 
astronomy, by Rev. John Butler. This was repeated on 
the 17th. May 10, there were philosophical discussions 
in writing, by the members. June 5, there were verbal 
discussions, and remarks by the President, on history and 
the use of terrestrial globes. August 7, Lessons were 
recited in Blair's Philosophy. At the next annual meet- 
ing the officers elected, were, 

THOMAS J. LEE, President, 

SAMUEL "WOOD, Jk., Secretary, 

SAMUEL BENJAMIN, Treasurer, 

Dr. I. SNELL, ) ^. , 

JOSEPH FAIRBANKS, ) ^^^^^^^rs. 

A public address was given by Mr. Charles Snell, and 
lectures on electricity by the members. They had lectures 
and experiments on chemistry and electricity, chemical 
affinity and chrystalization, and on botany, by the mem- 
bers and others. 

1828, June 27, females were "admitted as members, 
free of expense, upon condition, they attend regularly to 
some studies, such as they may choose, which come within 
the objects of the Constitution." At the meeting in 
July, a female class recited in Blair's Philosophy. 



•164 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

At the annual meeting, October, 1828, the officers 
cliusen, were, 

THOMAS J. LEE, President, 

MARK FISHER, SecrHarij. 

SAMUEL BENJAMIN, Treasurer, 

JAMES CURTLS, ) ^. 

NATHAN FOSTER, ) J^irectors. 

Generally, during the v/intcr, the ladies had recitations 
in RIairs Philosoph}' aiid Wiikins Astronomy. Lectures 
v.erc aiso given, .by members, on a,stronomical and phil- 
j'juphjf^?! siibj'^'Cti!., il ■ j.stiateU bj'" experiments. 

Oclohcx, 1829, the officers were, 

SAMUEL WEBB, President, 

THOMAS J. LEE, Secretary, 

SAMUEL BENJAMIN, Treasurer, 

DAVID THURSTON, \ j.. . 
JAMES CURTIS, ] ^^^^"^^^• 

At the meeting in November, the writer of this gave 
an address " on the object and advantages of the Institu- 
tion." During the ensuing wintei:, there were lectures 
and discussions, by members, on mineralogy, botany, 
philosophy, geography, chemistry, natural history, and 
recitations in chemistry, astronomy, philosophy and 
botany. 

At the next annual meeting, the same officers were 
re-elected. The meetings have been entertaining and 
profitable. But the interest in them began to decline. 
The meetings were neither as frequent nor as fully at- 
tended as they had been. What a tendency in human 
nature to degenerate ! Almost invariably, attendance on 
the most useful, the best institutions, at length decreases 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 165 

A constant effort must be made to preserve a due regard 
to what might be highly beneficial. Such was the declen- 
sion, that, December 26, 1831, it was "voted to dissolve 
the Institution." 

FRANKLIN SOCIETY. 

In 1832, a debating club was formed, called, " The 
Franklin Society." The object of this Society was, " the 
increase and diffusion of useful knowledge. ""^ 

LYCEUMS. 

Lyceums have been repeatedly established, before 
which. Lectures have been publicly given on various 
important subjects. Citizens of the tov/n and gentlemen 
from abroad have been colled to the service. In the 
winters of 1852 — 3, and of 1853 — 4, the interest in these 
institutions was more general and deeper than in any 
preceding seasons. These lectures enlarged the sphere 
of knowledge, as well as afforded pleasant amusement. 

Bacon said, " Knowledge is power." * Hobbs said, 
" Wealth is power." They were both right. Both are 
believed. Hence, those ambitious of literary distinction, 
make knowledge the all absorbing object of pursuit. 
They are seen by the midnight lamp, " studying unto pale- 
ness." The others, incessantly plodding how they may 
gain the most and expend the least, are seen rising before 
the light, and toiling till after the stars appear. No 
means, which promise success in the pursuit of wealth, 
are left untried. Knowledge, under the control of the 



* The writer has not been able to come at the records of this 
Society, or to learn but very little in regard to it. 



166 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

gospel of Christ, is a much more desirable power than 
wealth. The path to knowledge now lies open to all, in 
our country, except the enslaved. Prior to the reforma- 
tion, in the 16th century, science and literature were 
confined to the cloister and the university. But it has 
been truly said, that " more has been done in the last 
three centuries, by the Protestants, in the profound and 
comprehensive, the exact, rational, liberal development, 
culture and application of every valuable department of 
knowledge, both theoretical and practical, with a view to 
public and private improvement, than has been done by all 
the rest of the world, both ancient and modern, since the 
days of Lycurgus." Learning need not now be the exclusive 
privilege of the few professional characters. How much 
more rational and consistent for the young to employ 
time and money in educating the head and heart, than 
the heels. How much more in character for intelligent, 
accountable beings, to spend leisure hours in the well 
selected Library, or the well conducted Lyceum, than in 
the ball room, the billiard saloon, or the theater. 

What men have done, men may do. Cincinnatus, 
while following the plow, acquired such an amount 0£ 
knowledge, and such weight of character, that he was 
appointed Dictator of Rome. Demosthenes owed his 
superiority as an orator, not " to his native endowments," 
but to his indomitable energy and perseverance. What 
attainments the Tinker of Elstow made by meditation, 
study and prayer. Franklin was a printer's boy. By 
his almost unassisted efforts, he rose to a distinguished 
rank among the philosophers of his age. Rittenhouse 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 167 

was brouglit up in the healthful, honorable occupation 
of a tiller of the soil. By economising his time, he be- 
came famous as a mechanic and an astronomer. He suc- 
ceeded Franklin in the Presidency of the Philosophical 
Society. Roger Sherman, from the bench of a cord- 
wainer, rose to a distinguished seat in the Congress of 
the United States. By his assiduity and integrity, he 
became a renowned statesman. Think from what humble 
and obscure poverty, Rev. Jonas King, D. D., has be- 
come the famous Missionary at Athens in Greece. Re- 
member Elihu Burrit, the learned blacksmith. See him 
mastering the Latin, Greek, Hebrew and other grammars 
from books fastened to the side of his shop chimney, as 
he blows the bellows to heat his iron. He becomes a 
proficient in several ancient and not a few modern lan- 
guages. He is now laboring to prevail on the nations to 
" beat their swords into plowshares and their sj^ears 
into pruning hooks ; and to learn war no more." May 
the God of peace speed him and all his coadjutors in that 
truly benevolent enterprise. Let others imitate such 
examples. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Water-Cure Establishment — Marriages and deaths — Genealogical 



Register. 



WATEK-CUIIE ESTABLISHMENT. 



Among the other means ol restoring health, and pro- 
longinp: life in this town, the Hydropathic Establishment 
G^ Jrsiah Pvi^p*. ;tt. M. ]?., h'^lds an important place. 
H i has an exceedingly eligible a^id delightful situation, 
easily accessible f^or.i thf^ surioiinding country, by the 
fCcn aebiiC and Androscoggin Rail Road and stages. He 
has good accommodations for patients. Tn addition to 
his long experience as a regular practitioner, lie has had 
eight or nine years acquaintance with the Water-Cure 
treatment. Under his care, many invalids are annually 
experiencing the restorative and invigorating efficacy of 
a judicious application of cold water. The virtues of 
this simple remedy are known only to a very limited ex- 
tent. It may be doubted whether one half of them are 
yet understood. Like other prmciples in the natural 
world, which we are just beginning to know how to apply 
to useful purposes, we may well believe that the pre- 
ventive and healing efficacy of water, cold and warm, 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 169 

is yet but very imperfectly known. Experiments will, 
doubtless, continue to be made, until it shall be fully 
ascertained, that no beverage is so well adapted to perfect 
the human* constitution in health and vigor as pure water 
distilling from the cloulds, or issuing from the crystal 
fountain. No lotion is to be compared with the various 
kinds of water produced by the infinite skill and benevo- 
lence of the Creator. When men will consent to use His 
simple preparations, unmixed with narcotics and poisons, 
they will be more free from diseases of both body and 
mind. Life will be lengthened, and will pass more 
peacefully and pleasantly, ^and will be far more useful 
and happy. 

MAEiClAGES AND DEATHS. 

Dea. Enoch Wood kept a record of the deaths in 
town from 1802 to 1806, inclusive. He made the num- 
ber about three times as many as were entered upon the 
town records. The number of deaths prior to 1802, are 
from the records of the town. So that it is altogether 
reasonable to conclude that more persons died than is 
stated. The writer made a record of the deaths in town 
from February 22, 1807, to November 21, 1851, as far 
as they came to his knowledge. It is not improbable 
there may have been a few more, but very few. It was 
generally known that he kept such a record, and was 
accustomed to mention the names of the deceased in 
public, on the first Sabbath in January, each year. Those 
who knew of deaths, of which he would not be likely to 
hear, were in the habit of naming them to him. 
8* 



170 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 



Date. 


Marriages. 


Deaths. 


Date. 


Marriages. 


Deaths. 


1769, 





1 


1797 





5 


1770, 





1 


1798 


4 


5 


1771, 





1 


1799 


13 


3 


1773, 





2 


1800 


9 


2 


1774, 


1 





1801 





7 


1775, 





3 


1802 


2 


13 


1776, 


1 


2 


1803, 


1 


16 


1777, 


1 


1 


1804 


4 


15 


1778, 


4 


2 


1805 


5 


16 


1779, 


2 





1806 


6 


12 


1780, 


1 


2 


1807, 


12 


12 


1781, 


10 


4 


1808 


11 


8 


1782, 


4 


3 


1809 


8 


14 


1783, 


1 


3 


1810 


2 


15 


1784, 





2 


1811. 


3 


15 


1785, 


6 


3 


1812, 


4 


12 


1786, 


2 


8 


1813, 


4 


11 


1787, 


3 


3 


1814, 


12 


37* 


1788, 


20 


1 


1815, 


12 


14 


1789, 


16 


2 


1816, 


12 


15 


1790, 


11 


4 


1817, 


24 


8 


1791, 


12 


3 


1818, 


20 


13 


1792, 


20 


8 


1819, 


12 


21 


1793, 


16 


1 


1820, 


11 


14 


1794, 


19 


4 


1821, 


8 


17 


1795, 





2 


1822, 


13 


32 1 


1796, 


3 


2 


1823, 


16 


22 



* Tills year was memorable for the prevalence of what was called 
" the cold, or spotted fever," in many parts of New England. 
Seventeen persons died of this fever between February 4 and 
April 23. 

t Seven of these were more than seventy years of age, and one 
ninety-one years and eight months, and one ninety-two years 
This year, ten died of cholera-morbus, and nine of dysentery] 
Tliis mortality was supposed to be occasioned by the gi\ing way 
of the dam at the outlet of the pond, south of the \illage. In con- 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 171 



1824, 


15 


26 


1840, 


3 


35 


1825, 


15 


26 


1841, 


12 


24 


1826, 


16 


28 


1842, 


13 


27 


1827, 


17 


17 


1843, 


12 


22 


1828, 


11 


25 


1844, 


13 


32 


1829, 


6 


37 


1845, 


12 


29 


1830, 


11 


25 


1846, 


18 


26 


1831, 


23 


24 


1847, 


19 


30 


1832, 


8 


29 


1848, 


19 


32 


1833, 


1 


24 


1849, 


10 


38 


1834, 


7 


23 


1850, 


11 


37 


1835, 


2 


33 


1851, 


20 


22 


1836, 


4 


17 


1852, 


16 


11 


1837, 


7 


14 


1853, 


11 


34 


1838, 


2 


32 


1854, 


14 


19 


1839, 


1 


21 









Of the thousand and thirty-seven deaths of which the 
writer has an account, twenty-seven died between the ao-es 
of seventy and seventy-five, forty between the ao-es of 
seventy-five and eighty, forty between eighty and eighty- 
five, twenty between eighty-five and ninety, five between 
ninety and ninety-five, one ninety-five, one ninety-six 
and ten months, and one ninety-eight. Thus, in forty- 
four years, in a population increasing from 1,444, accord- 
ing to the census of 1810, to 2,154, according to the 
census of 1850, one hundred and thirty-five lived more 
than three score years and ten. 

Nearly all the early settlers lived to a good old age. 
In a new country, abounding in hills and pure water 

sequence of tliis, a considerable quantity of low ground, usually 
covered with water, was laid open to the sun. Thus was exhaled 
a pernicious miasma, destructive of health. All these cases oc- 
curred between July 8 and October 5 ; and the persons lived in 
the direction in which the southerly Amd would waft the noxious 
effluvia. 



172 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

gushing from perennial springs, is mucli wliicli conduces 
to the prolonging of human life. Their food and dress 
are simple and plain. ' Their labor in the open, unpol- 
luted air of heaven, while clearing their land and pre- 
paring it for the plough, is greatly promotive of a health- 
ful, vigorous state of the muscular system. Their work 
amidst charred wood is exceedingly salubrious. For 
charcoal is among the most effective antiseptics. In the 
"hill country" of New England are formed the most 
robust and athletic bodies and minds. 

GENEALOGICAL REGISTEH.'^* 

Benjamin Allen, married Sally Jennings. Children. 
Josiah, born August 6, 1788, died January 2, 1794. 
John Adams, born August 2, 1790, died August 19, 1790^ 
David Larned, born August 23, 1791, died September 
22, 1792. Sally, born September 14, 1793, married 
Cyrus Smith. Cordelia, born October 31, 1795. 

Philip Allen, m Esther Tisdale. c Benjamin Mann, 
b January 22, 1782. Betsey, b January 3, 1.785. Lem- 
uel Craveth, b October 25, 1786. Deodate Tisdale, b 
October 12, 1788. 

Daniel Allen, son of Edmund, b in Franklin, Massa- 
chusetts, m Sarah Delano, c Hannah, b May 4, 1783, 
d May 19, 1793. Cynthia, b April 10, 1784, d January 
1790. Lucinda, b December 3, 1785. Olive, b Nov! 



* I regret not to be able to make this Register more complete 
but circumstances have rendered it impracticable. The follo^nng 
abbre^dations are used : b for born, m for married, c for cliilclren> 
d for died. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 173 

22, 1787. Hannah, b March 19, 1790. Luther, b March 
8, 1792. Eliab, b February 18, 1794, m Hannah Jones, 
November 13, 1817. Sally, b January 30, 1796, 'Nabby, 
b April 4, 1798. 

Oliver Allen, m Lavinia . c Rufus, b December 

16, 1773, m Abigail Fairbanks, daughter of Benjamin 
Fairbanks, Sen. 

William Armstrong, m Hannah — . c William, Jr., 

b July 18, 1775, d April 10. 1777. 

David Atkins, m Pamela Evans, c Mary, b July 11, 
1787, David, b September 30, 1789. John, b January 
20, 1793. 

Thomas Atkinson, m Lydia Norris, January 6, 1791. 

Moses Ayer, m Sarah . c William, b December 

24, 1772. 

Josiah Bacon, m Eunice Mitchell, d November 16, 
1819. c Betsey, b June 15, 1793. Josiah, Jr., b March 
18, 1795. Warren, b October 31, 1796. Joseph, b 
November 22, 1800, d February 20, 1827. 

Joseph Baker, m Dorcas . c Elisabeth, b Octo- 
ber 19, 1770. Mary, b November 10, 1772. Lemuel, 
b September 16, 1774. Joseph, Jr., b July 11, 1776. 

Ebenezer Barrows, m Susanna Cushman. c Andrew, 

b May 30, 1777. Susanna, b October 11, 1781, m 

Harris. John, b April 21, 1784, m Deborah Perkins. 

Micah Barrows, m Lucy Miller, of Middleborough, 
Massachusetts, c Deborah Morton, b May 24, 1799. 

Peleg Benson, b in Middleborough, Massachusetts, 
m Sally Page, b Kensington, N. H., daughter of Simon 
Page, c Hannah, b August 10, 1794, m Abisha Benson. 



174 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

Gustavus Adolphus, b March 10, 1796. Peleg, Jr.« 
b March 26, 1798, m Camilla Snell, daughter of Dr. 
Issachar Snell. Gustavus Adolphus, b December 9, 

1799, m Hannah Page, and Miss Legget. Samuel 

Page, b November 28, 1804, m Elisabeth Mann. 

Reuben Besse, m Kezia . c Deborah, b October 

19, 1768. Reuben, Jr., b July 24, 1770. Abigail, 
b Jan. 17, 1773. Jonathan, b July 24, 1775, m Asenath 
Smith. 

Samuel Besse, m Rebecca . c Alden, b February 

21, 1795. John, b April 7, 1797. Andrew Blunt, 
b August 11, 1799. 

William Bickford, m Polly Barden, March 6, 1800. 
Jesse Bishop, son of Jesse B., m Patience Titus, 
daughter of John Titus, September 22, 1799. 

Nathaniel Bishop, b September 17, 1766, m Judith 
H. Gilbert, b January 1, 1773. c Hiercy, b January 20, 
1792, m Sarah Carlton. Hannah, b February 15, 1794, 
m Miller Shaw. Nathan, b December 13, 1796, m Mar- 
tha Wing. Cyrus, b January 26, 1798, m Susan Stanley 
and Olive Harris. William, b November 23, 1800, 
m Paulina Tinkham. Ransom, b January 9, 1803, 
m Harriet Wood. Nathaniel Cony, b January 21, 1805, 

m Sarah Lane. Joseph S,, b August 16, 1807, m 

Brigham. Rebecca Jane, b July 14, 1810, m Joseph 
Stanley. Drusilla, b April 24, 1814, m Elijah Townsend. 

Squier Bishop, b in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, 1732, 
m Patience Titus, b 1729. c Patience, m Mathew Bragg. 
October 30, 1776. Mary, m Joseph Philbrick, January 3, 
1782. Squier, Jr. Waitstill, m Thomas Whittier, March 

22, 1781. Amy, m John Pullen. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 175 

John Blount, b in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, m Re- 
becca Streeter, and Margaret McCartha. c of John and 
Rebecca, Mary, b February 19, 1772, m William Atkin- 
son. Rebecca, b December 17, 1773, m Besse. c of 

John and Margaret, Naomi, b December 16, 1791. John, 
Jr., b June 27, 1793. Martha, b March 18, 1795. 

Andrew Blount, son of John, m Merideth Monk. 
c Jerusha, b July 17, 1789. Sophia, b March 6, 1791. 
Kczia, b March 31, 1793. Bethinia, b April 13, 1795. 
Olive, b April 17, 1797. 

Beriah Bonney, m Nancy Pullen, July 1,1798. c Lydia, 
b October 7, 1798, m Parmeter. 

Isaac Bonney, m Hannah Soule. c James, b January 
11, 1782, m Cynthia Cole. Hannah, b July 27, 1785, 
m John Jackson. Isaac, b November 1, 1787, m Heph- 
zibah Joy. 

Mrs. Hannah Bonney, m Silas Lambert, c Jarvis, 
b September 11, 1793, m Rebecca Holland, and Hannah 
Holland. Olive, b August 19, 1795, m Samuel Webb. 

Benjamin Brainerd, m Ruth Delano, December 14, 
1779. c Benjamin, Jr., September 1,1780, d young. 
James, b April 17, 1783, m Sarah Jameson, and Deborah 
Brainerd. Molly, b August 21, 1784, m Samuel Rich- 
ards. Sarah, b April 1, 1786, m Parsons Smith. Oren, 
b March 3, 1788, m Sarah Hearld. 

Reuben Brainerd, m Fanny Allen, January 12, 1787. 
c Susanna, b February 18, 1789, m Jonas Packard, April 
3, 1810. Deborah, b November 28, 1790, m James 
Brainerd. Fanny, b November 28, 1792, m Jonas Pack- 
ard. Reuben, Jr., b February 6, 1795. Asahcl, b Feb. 
7, 1797. 



176 HISTORY OP WINTHEOP. 

Timothy Brainerd, m Mehitable Metcalf, December 
31, 1779. c Joseph Metcalf, b November 4. 1780, 
d January 7, 1781. Martha, b October 27, 1782, m Sam- 
uel Walton. Nancy, b March 9, 1786, m Moses B. Gil- 
man. Samuel, b August 3, 179G. 

Nathaniel Brewster, m Betsey Fallen, daughter of 
Stephen Pullen, November 29, 1792. c Stephen, b March 
31, 1793. Lewis, b June 3, 1795. Nancy, b September 

15, 1797, m. Dinsmore. 

Jeremiah Brown, son of Unite Brown, m Mary Daily, 
April 24, 1793. c Hannah, b February 7, 1794, d Jan. 
14,1795. Joseph, b November 26, 1795. Abiel Daily, 
b March 5, 1798. 

John Brown, jr., m Hannah Oldham, c Elisabeth, 
b September 30, 1796. Hannah, b May 21, 1798, 

Joseph Brown, m Mary . c John, b August 29, 

1774. 

Unite Brown, m Rebecca Arnold, c Rebecca, m 
Thomas Craig. Jeremiah, m Mary Daily. John, m 
Mary Oldham. Dorcas, m Alexander Thompson. Jo- 
seph, d young. Mary, m Solomon Towle. William, 

m Polly Cochran, March 25, 1800, and Gazelon- 

Dolly, m Reuben Ham. 

Ede Hall Burgin,m Elizabeth . c Joseph Young, 

b Mar. 26, 1773. 

Joseph Butterfield, m Mary -. c Calvin, b March 

31,1797. 

Lemuel Capen, m Michael : c Uriah, b Jan. 28, 

1790. Hannah, b July 9, 1792, m Abraham Pinkham. 
Dorcas, b April 9, 1794. Lemuel, Jr., b Sept. 4, 1798. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 177 

David Chandler, son of John, sen. m Sally Pullen, 
June 9, 1796. c William Pullen, b March 9, 1800. 
Jacob Chandler, son of Jacob, brother of John, sen. m 
Deborah Chandler, March 29, 1792. 

Joel Chandler, son of John, sen. b Sept.' 10, 1757, m 

Deborah Jennings, c Noah, b Dec. 28, 1784, m 

Weeks. Joel, b June 9, 1786. Joseph, b Aug. 4, 1788, 
d Sept. 17, 1812. Susanna, b Sept. 21, 1790. Fayette, 

b Feb, 26, 1792, m Weeks. Deborah, b June 10, 

1794, m Enoch Farnham, July 6, 1817. 

John Chandler, m Lydia . c John, jr., b Nov. 

17, 1754, m Hannah Streeter. Noah, b April 25, 1756. 
Joel, b Sept. 10, 1757, d April 19, 1794. Lydia, b July 
5, 1759. Kezia, b April 17, 1761. Molly, b March 9, 
1763, m Dr. Moses Wing, Sept. 1780. Lucy, b March 
7, 1765. Susanna, b July 22, 1766, d Jan. 7, 1771. 
Hannah, b Jan. 19, 1768, m Daniel Marrov/, jr., Sept. 
20, 1786. Rhoda, b.Aug. 21 1769. Susanna, b Sept. 
3, 1792. David, b Jan. 6, 1775. 

John Chandler, jr., b November 17, 1754, m Hannah 
Streeter, b March 15, 175-, June, 1783. c Alfred, 
b September 16, 1784, m Elioenai Stevens. John, 3d, 
b August 9, 1786, m Julia Harris, September 17, 1817, 
d June 14, 1821. Levi, b November 14, 1787, m Cla- 
rissa Foster. Milton, b March 31, 1789, m Nancy 
Thomas, June 22, 1817, d October 10, 1833. Tillotson, 
b September 12, 1790, m Tryphena Sears. Samuel, 
b April 16, 1792, m Deborah M. Shaw, September 10, 
1823. Hannah, b October 21, 1793, m Israel Perley, 
November 3, 1817. Lydia. b January 31, 1795, m Dr. 



178 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Oliver Prescot, July 16, 1721. Sophia, b April 12, 
1796, m Cornelius B. Morton, November 3, 1817, d Sept., 
1850. Daniel, b Febrnary 1, 1798, d December, 1804. 
Calvin, b October 13, 1799, m Howard. 

Samuel Chandler m Rebecca . c Samuel, jr., 

b February 18, 1777. Moses, b November 6, 1778. 
Jacob, b March 9, 1781. 

Timothy Clement, m Lucinda Pullen, daughter of 
James Pullen, January 5, 1800. 

Jabez Clough, b April 20, 1752, m Mary , b April 

27, 1755. c Elisabeth, b in Hallowell, March 24, 1775. 
Sarah, b August 8, 1777. James, b September 3, 1779. 
Daniel b September 17, 1781. Noah, b May 26, 1784. 
Dolly, b September 20, 1786. Mary, b March 26, 1789. 

Richard Colburn, m Prudence Barnes, April 14, 1796. 

John Cole, m Anner . c Nathan, b May 3, 1786, 

m Pollard. William, b November 13, 1788. Lydia, 

b August 7, 1790, m Thomas Elmes. John, jr., b April 
19, 1791. Cyrus, b June 13, 1792, d March 4, 1814. 
Hiram, b December 9, 1793, m Lois Young. Susanna, 

b January 31, 1796, m Chase. Lewis, b May 13, 

1798. Morril, b December 16, 1799, m Dorothy Joy. 

Samuel Cole, m Lydia . c John, b May 2, 1793. 

Eunice, b December 30, 1794. Hannah, b September 
29, 1796. 

John Comings, m Ruth White, c John, jr., b Jan. 
5, 1781, m Mercy Barrows. Sarah, b July 3, 1785. 
Jason, b October 25, 1787, m Anna Miller. Amos, 
b October 12, 1789. David, b December 24, 1791, 
d January 31, 1792. Zilpha, b January 24, 1793, m Rich- 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 179 

ard Stewart. Moses Cass, b January 22, 1795, m Mary 
Murrey. Susanna, b September 19, 1797. Ruth, b Nov 
1, 1799. 

Thomas Craig, m Racbel Huntoon, January 10, 1791. 

Jonathan Currier, m Phebe Lambert, daughter of Gid- 
eon Lambert, April 30, 1793. c Jonathan, jr., b Nov. 
27, 1793, m Polly Sweet, December 23, 1819. Sally, 
b February 9, 1796, m Daniel Daily. Franklin, b Nov. 
13, 1797, m Prudence Luce. Daniel Searls, b December 
3, 1799. 

Dr. Samuel_Currier of Readfield, m Patience Stanley, 
daughter of Solomon Stanley, 1799. 

Josiah Cushman, b in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Feb. 

20, 1752, m Patience , b in Middleborough, Mass., 

July 22, 1751. c Patience, b October 21, 1774. Rufus, 
b January 20, 1777. John, b February 16, 1779. Sarah, 
b June 26, 1781, d April 27, 1782. Josiah, b June 28, 
1783. Sarah, b April 18, 1787. Elias, b Dec. 20, 1789. 

Jonathan Danielson of Phippsburgh, m Nancy Gilbert, 
daughter of Nathaniel Gilbert, 1799. 

Ebenezer Davenport, b in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 
m Mary Crane, b in Milton, Massachusetts, c Polly, 
b April 10, 1768, m Abiel Walton. Rufus, b July 8, 
1770. Isaac, b December 17, 1771, d October 2, 1797. 
Elijah, b November 15, 1773. Mercy, b July 10, 1775, 
m Samuel Humphrey. These were born in Dorchester, 
Massachusetts. Anna, b February 20, 1778, d April 24, 

1783. Melatiah b January 23, 1780, m Lawrence. 

Hannah, b June 27, 1782. Ebenezer, b June 27, 1785, 
d January 18, 1787. Anna, b July 16, 1787, m Uriah 



180 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Holt Gray. Ebenezer, b March 10, 1791. Charlotte, 
b March 12, 1793. 

Elijah Davenport, son of Ebenezer, 1 t, m Mercy 
Towne. c Rufus, b November 8, 1796, m Anna Stevens. 
Samuel Wood, b September 30, 1798. Jonathan Belden, 
b December 5, 1800. 

Isaac Davenport, son of Ebenezer Davenport, m Susanna 
Walton, c James, b June 3, 1791. Fanny, b Nov. 6, 
1793. Philena, b February 9, 1796. 

Barzillai Delano, b 1756, m Elisabeth Delano, daughter 
of Reuben, c Francis, b August 5, 1780. Sophia, 
b December 26, 1783. Caleb, b November 25, 1785. 
Betsey, b November 23, 1787. Mary, b April 10, 1790. 
Hannah, b May 11, 1792. Julia, b December 11, 1793. 
Silvia, b May 17, 1796. Barzillai, jr., b May 1, 1798. 
Ruth, b June 4, 1800, 

Ichabod Delano, m Lucy . c Lydia Bartlett, 

b March 20, 1798. Beriah, b November 19, 1800. 

James Delano, son of Zebedee, b Mar. 6, 1758, m Polly 
• . c Abel, b October 5, 1785. 

Seth Delano m Lydia Chandler, and Rebecca . 



c of Seth and Lydia, Rachel, b April 9, 1777. c of Seth 
and Rebecca, Hannah, b March 2, 1783. 

Zebedee, son of John Delano, b February 27, 1727, 

m Sarah , b May 21, 1729, c Seth, b November 

10, 1751, m Rebecca — ~. Ruth, b April 6, 1755, 
m Aaron Stevens. James, b March 6, 1758. Jabez, 
b May 7, 1760. Sarah, b March 1, 1763. Zebedee, jr., 
b October 25, 1767, m Abigail Cottle, March 17, 1791. 
Ebenezer, b April 8, 1771, m Nancy Titus, October 24, 
1793. 

William Dewey, son of Rebecca, b March 25, 1793. 



i 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. ' 181 

Constant Dexter, m Rebecca Billington. c Mary, 
b January 20, 1796. Lois, b February 20, 1797. 

Freeman Dexter, m Polly Thurston, c Nathaniel, 
b in New Sandwich, August 15, 1795, m Mary Rich. 
Arvin, b January 15, 1797. Freeman, jr., b December 
12, 1798, m Abigail Harvey. Sumner, b Oct. 26, 1800. 

Thomas Eastman, m Sarah Comins, March 29, 1792. 

c Edward, b June 1, 1793, m Coleman. David, 

b October 20, 1794, m Selinda Wood. Polly, b Sept. 
29, 1796, d April 12, 1798. Sally, b Sept. 7, 1798. 

Ezekiel Eldrige, m Mary . c Hannah, b March 

19, 1786. Ezekiel, jr., b July 31, 1788. 

Solomon Esty, b May 17, 1744, O. S., m Hannah 
Leonard, b June 17, 1748, O. S. c Mary, b September 
15, 1770, m Benjamin Reed. Nancy, b November 28, 
1771, m Moses Wood, January 12, 1792. Merideth, 
b August 10, 1773, married Jos. Matthews. Hannah, 
b May 21, 1775. Lovina, b February 6, 1777, d March 
26, 1777. Ebenezer, b March 27, 1778. Leonard, 
b September 9, 1780. Lovina, b October 27, 1782, 
m David Fuller. Solomon, jr., b November 20, 1784, 
m Dolly Fifield. Aaron and Miriam, b December 12, 
1786 ; Aaron m Apphia Coy, and Miriam m Daniel Coy, 
Martha, b November 19, 1789. Betsey, b March 7, 
1792, d December 22, 1812. 

Abijah Fairbanks, b in Medway, Massachusetts, Jan., 
1746, m Mary Clark, b February, 1750, came to Win- 
throp in 1800. c Olive, b September, 1759,m Joseph 
Metcalf. Mary, b 1773, and d young. Asa, b February 
24, 1779, m Hannah Partridge. 

Benjamin Fairbanks, m Keturah Luce, who was the 
9 



182 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

mother of Ms children, c Joseph, b July 24, 1774, m 

Eaton, d September 12, 1831. Nabby, b February 

9, 1776. Benjamin, jr., b March 20, 1778, m Lydia 
White. Betsey, b March 20, 1780, m James Smith. 
Sarah, b January 6,1782, m Joseph Norris. Lucy, b 
November 29, 1785, mBartlet Allen. Deborah, b Jan- 
uary 16, 1788, m Ichabod Foster. Dennis, b April 16, 
1 790, m Hannah Foster. His second wife was Sally Blue. 

Elijah Fairbanks, m Elisabeth Hopkins, August 15, 
1781 ; he d May, 1836, aged 79, and she d July 28, 
1838, aged 76. c Silvia, b August 9, 1781. Elijah, jr., 

b December 18, 1782, m Allen. Polly, b Feb. 27, 

1785, d May 27, 1786, Enos, b December 14, 1787, 
m Olive Allen. Asenath, b April 5, 1790, m John Har- 
vey. James, b September 12, 1792. Jesse L., b Nov. 
19, 1794. John, b May 26, 1797. Hannah, b March 
6, 1800, m Nathan Foster. 

Joseph Fairbanks, m Sybil Grover. c David, b July 
17, 1777, m Lydia York. Levi, b August 12, 1778, 
m Hannah York, August 30, 1798. Susanna, b Sept. 
8, 1779, m Gideon Lambert. Abigail, b January 2, 1781, 
m John Hanscom. Joanna, b July 24, 1782, m David 
Moody. Elias, b December 19, 1783, m Rhoda Cram. 
Fanny, b May 11, 1785, m Enos Jewel. Polly, b Feb. 
5, 1787, m Daniel Butler. Sybil, b December 17, 1788, 
m Alpheus Drake. Joseph, b December 17, 1790, ni 
Polly Uichmond. Joel, b September 24, 1 792, m Judith 
Bradford. Pamela, d December 22, 1810. Rufus, b 
October 16, 1794. Sally, b June 10, 1796, m Thomas 
Becket. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 183 

Nathaniel Fairbanks, b July 15, 1754, m Susanna 
Metcalf, b May 27, 1759, m October 21, 1778 ; she d Sept. 
24, 1791. c Hannah, b Dec. 20, 1781, m Liberty Stan- 
ley. Philo, b February 21, 1784, m Susan Besse. Cal- 
vin, b August 5, 1789, m Hannah Thompson. His 
second "vvife was Lydia Chipman. c Columbus, b Nov. 
7, 1793, m Lydia "Wood Tinkham. Franklin, b June 
18, 1795, m Hannah Cushing. Susanna, b December 
15, 1796, m Rev. David Starret. 

Timothy Farrington, m Sarah Pullen ; he d February 1 , 
1799. c Preston, b August 6, 1782. Lydia, b Nov. 

11, 1785, m Bragg. Sarah, b December 14, 1786. 

Hannah, b May 3, 1789. Rebecca, b May 20, 1790. 
Pliny, b June 3, 1792. Roxana, b Feb. 1, 1795. Jason, 
b September 23, 1797. 

Ebenezer Fisher, m Abigail . c Phebe, b Sept. 

6, 1784. Reuben, b March 1, 1786. Jesse, b April 

7, 1788. 

Daniel Foster, son of Timothy, jr., m Betsey Cole, 
January 17, 1799. c Olive, b March 3, 1800. 

David Foster, son of Timothy, sen., m Melicent How, 
daughter of Ichabod How, January 13, 1783. c Anna, 
b December 11, 1783, m Thomas Stevens. Ichabod, b 
June 9, 1785, m Deborah Fairbanks. Preston, b April 
30, 1788. Clarissa, b August 6, 1790. Lavinia, b July 

8, 1792, d November 5, 1792. Freeman, b December 
30, 1793, m Lydia White, d September 14, 1847. David, 
jr., b July 4, 1795, m Harmony, daughter of Joseph 
Packard. Nathan, b March 2, 1798, m Hannah, daughter 
of Elijah Fairbanks. John Winthrop, b Feb. 12, 1800. 



184 _ HISTOBT OP WINTHROP. 

Otis . Foster, son of Timothy, jr., m Lucy Norris. 
c Phebe, b September 18, 1800. 

Richard Foster, son of Timothy, sen., m Clarissa Bar- 
ton, October 21, 1791. c Parthenia, b May 18, 1792. 
Ebenezer, b August 14, 1794. Harlow Barton, b Sept. 
12, 1798. 

Steuart Foster, b April 8, 1757, m Jerusha Wads- 
worth, c Wadsworth, b January 7, 1788, m Lucinda 
Snell, Abigail Kezer and L. Hayward. Oliver, b Aug. 
29, 1789, m Lydia Perkins, November 30, 1815. Sibyl, 
b July 21, 1791, m Benjamin Bobbins, June 22, 1817. 
Moses, b November 10, 1793, m Temperance Davis. 
Eunice, b January 4, 1796, m Isaac Shaw, jr. Isaac, b 
April 22, 1798, m Lois Hoyt, January 25, 1821. Steu- 
art, jr., b June 7, 1800, m Mary Ames. 

Samuel Foster, b June 26, 174-, m September 22, 
1764, Leah Avery, b in Rumbouts, N. Y., May 22, 1749. 
c Ebenezer, b in Rumbouts, Sept. 26, 1766. Richard, 
b at Little nine Partners, May 31, 1768. Mary, b at 
Little nine Partners, August, 1770, m Edward Wash- 
burne. Desire, b November 5, 1772, at Rhinebec, N. Y., 
m Abraham Fuller of Livermore, 1799. Mercy, b at 
Wrentham, Mass., November 7, 1775, m Timothy Sweet, 
January 8, 1800. John Wilde, b at Cumberland, R. I., 
December 29, 1778. Eliphalet, b in Winthrop, October 
20,1780. William, b October 6, 1782. Benjamin, b 
June 17,1784. Michael, b April 5, 1786. 

Capt. Timothy Foster, b May, 14, 1720, m Sibler 
Freeman, b October 29, 1723 ; he d April 3, 1785, and 
^he d December 8, 1813. c Timothy, jr., b March 21, 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 185 

1745, m Abigail Allen, d August 1, 1825. Billy, b 
September 24, 1747. Elipiialet, b July 27, 1749. Su- 
san, b April 15, 1751, mMicajab. Dudley. David, b May 
26, 1753, m Melicent Howe, b April 25, 1762, d January 
3, 1820. Thomas, b May 23, 1755. Steuart, b April 8, 
1757, m Jerusba Wadswortb. Jobn, b April 20, 1759. 
Oliver, b March 5, 1761. Sibler, b April 27, 1763, m 
Ephraim Stevens. Stephen, the first white male child 
born in Winthrop, b Feb. 28, 1766, m Sally Streeter. 

Timothy Foster, jr., b March 21, 1745, m Abigail 

. c Otis, b May 8, 1773. Daniel, b June 3, 1775. 

Elisabeth, b August 29, 1777, m Isaac Perkins. Molley, 
b February 24, 1783. Hannah, b November 17, 1786. 

John French, m Elisabeth Porter, November 4, 1790. 
C Nehemiah, b September 2, 1785. 

Moses Frost, m Abigail French, c Betsey, b June 18, 
1795. Josiah, b May 23, 1797. Moses, jr., b Dec. 

11, 1798. Lydia, b December 11, 1800. 

Samuel Frost, m Anna . c Aaron, b December 

14, 1767. Moses, b March 3, 1770. Lydia, b Feb. 

12, 1772. Noah, b June 21, 1774. William, b May 1, 
1777. John, b August 3, 1779. 

John Fuller, b on Cape Cod, m Anna, b in Boston. 
c Isaac, b Aug. 5, 17^, m Nancy Whitaker. Abraham, 
b Dec. 19, 1771, m Desire Foster, daughter of Samuel 
F., 1799. Nathan, b Oct. 21, 1774. Anna, b Sept. 16, 
1777, d Nov. 6, 1797. John, jr., b Feb. 13, 1779. 
Lydia, b July 20, 1782. Desire, b Apr. 2, 1785, m Hen- 
ry Caslin. Thomas, b Sept. 26, 1787. Addison, b Dec. 
27, 1790. Nabby, b Dec. 13, 1793, m Henry Hawkins, 
a Methodist preacher. 



186 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Francis Fuller, m Hannali . c Hannah, b Aug. 

19, 1773. Mary, b May 1, 1775. 

Peter Gale, m Jerusha Rice, c Orpheus Burgin, b 
Jan. 16, 1799. Eliza, b Apr. 21, 1800. 

Nathaniel Gilbert, m Hannah Hemps, c Rebecca, b 
March 3, 1774, m Zachariah Butterfield. 

James Goud, m Joanna . c Margaret, b July 29, 

1772. Rachael, b June 11, 1788. James, jr., b June 
13, 1790. Ezekiel, b Oct. 26, 1792. William, son of 
James and Nancy G., b June 29, 1795. Charlotte, b 
April 30, 1797. Nancy, b Feb. 14, 1799. 

Lazarus Goud, m Lurania . c Betsey, b March 28, 

1786. Rachel, b Dec. 18, 1789. George, b Jan. 28, 
1791. Rahannas, b Jan. 27, 1793. 

Clarkson Goud, son of Patty G., b March 27, 1788. 

John Gray, m Sarah . William, b Jan. 30, 1774, 

in Hallowell. Frederic, b June 29, 1775, in Hallowell. 
Sarah, b June 13, 1787, in Hallowell. John, jr., b Juno 
13, 1779, inWinthrop. 

Seth Greely, ni Jane . c Moses, b Nov. 27, 1777, 

in Hallowell. 

Josiah Hall, m Amiable . c Nathan, b Jan. 

22, 1765. Allen, b Jan. 29, 1767. Abigail, b April 
13, 1769. Mary, b Aug. 27, 1771, d May 23, 1795. 
Esther, b Jan. 4, 1774. 

Nathan Hall, m Elizabeth ; he died Oct. 26, 1775. 

c Mary, b March 12, 1773. Abijah, b Oct. 21, 1774. 
Betsey, b Feb. 26, 1776, m John Shed. 

Preserved Hall, m Abigail . c Josiah, b May 16, 

O. S., 1743. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 187 

Charles Harris, son of Obadiah, b in "Wrenthan, 
Mass, m Meletiah Hawes. c Timothy, b Oct. 9, 1784. 
Harmon, b July 22, 1786. Julia, b Sept. 10, 1788, m 
John Chandler and John May. Caleb, b June 15, 1790, 
m Dorcas Cole. Pliny, b Feb. 20, 1792, m Lucy Foster. 
Cynthia, b Feb. 21, 1794, m Jacob Cochran. Obadiah, 
b Nov. 18, 1795. Mary, b Jan. 19, 1798, m John- 
son. Charles, b Jan. 17, 1800. 

John Harvey, m Ruth . c Sally, b Dec. 27, 1796. 

Jonathan Hilliard m Deborah Chandler. 

David Hinckley, m Huldah Read, Sept. 9, 1789. 
c Reuel, b Nov. 18, 1790. Hannah, b March 4, 1793. 
Alanson, b March 20, 1795. David, jr., b April 21, 
1737. Cynthia, b March 18, 1799. 

Josiah Hodges, m Tabitha . c Benjamin, b Oct* 

7, 1797. 

Frederic Howard, m Elizabeth . c Daniel, b 

July 22, 1794. Sarah, b Jan. 30, 1796. Nabby, b Aug. 
4, 1797. Elizabeth, b March 11, 1799. 

Ichabod Howe, m Sarah . c Jonathan, b July 31, 

1760. Melicent, b April 25, 1762, m David Foster. 
Sarah, b March 15, 1766. Stephen, b Dec. 9, 1768, m 
Eleanor Turner. David, b Sept. 1, 1771, m Freelove 
Maxim. Susanna, b April 13, 1774, m Joseph York. 
Eunice, b Feb. 22, 1776, m Henry Wood, jr., Oct. 1, 
1800. 

Dr. John Hubbard, b Sept. 28, 1759, m Olive Wilson, 
bJan. 23, 1762. c Olive, b March 1, 1786. Sophia, 
b Feb. 21, 1788. Polly, b April 26, 1790, 

Richard Humphrey, m Elizabeth . c William, b 



188 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Oct. 6, 1777. Samuel, b Aug. 4, 1780, m MercyDaven- 
port. 

Thomas Jacobs, b in England, m Nancy . c Me- 

hitable, b Oct. 9, 1798, in Amesbury, Mass. Robert, b 
May 8, 1799, do. Elijah, b March 28, 1800, in Win- 
throp. 

John Jewett. m Sarah . c John, jr., b April 2. 

1779. 

Moses Joy, mHuldah Soule, Oct. 1788. c Hartford, 
b Dec. 15, 1789, d Nov. 9, 1811. Huldah, b March 10, 
1792, m Hebron Luce. Mary, b June 5, 1794, m Daniel 
Carr. 

Jacob Judkins, m Anna Blunt, c Clarissa, b April 11, 
1788. Lorrain, b Feb. 4, 1790. Rebecca,b Feb. 16, 
1792. Hannah and John Blount, b June, 4, 1794. 

John Kezer, m Apphia Lancaster, c Mehitable, b Ap. 
21, 1786, m Isaac French. Apphia b Aug. 26, 1789, m 
Nathaniel Whiting. Abigail, b Ap. 4, 1791, m Wads- 
worth Foster. John, jr., b Jan. 28, 1795, m Hannah, 
daughter of Samuel Waugh. 

Ebenezer King, m Mehitable Robbins. c Amos D. 
b Oct. 18, 1790. Jason, b July 10, 1792. Clarissa, b 
July 15, 1794. Barnard, b May 10, 1796, m Jerusha 
Rice. Darius, b Feb. 4, 1798. Zcnas, b May 10, 1800. 

Samuel King, m Susanna Brainard. c Samuel, jr., 
b Dec. 7, 1789, m Matilda 'Rice. Benjamin, b March 
24, 1791, m Olive Rice. Isaac, b July 2, 1792, m Mar- 
tha Esty. Amasa, b March 7, 1795, m Mehitable Jacobs. 
Sarah, b Jan. 18, 1797, d Apiil 15. 1814. Susanna, b 
Sept. 28, 1798, m Arnold Sv/eet. Polly, b Aug. 9, 1800, 
m BenjaminC. Joy. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 189 

Gideon Lambert, b in Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, 

came to Winthrop 1770, m Susanna . c Ebenezer, 

b May 8, 1761. Paul, b July 16, 1763. Silas, b Oct. 
15, 1765, m Hannah Soule Bonney. Beulah, b Jan. 1, 
1768, The above were b in Tisbury. Susanna, b Sept. 
24, 1770, m Samuel Pease. Phebe, b May 20, 1774. 
Gideon, jr., b June, 11, 1777, m Susanna Fairbanks. 

Paul Lambert, son of Gideon and Susanna Lambert* 
b July 16, 1763, m Mercy Dexter, Nov. 25, 1790. c 
Dennis, b Oct. 7, 1791. Ebenezer, b April 6, 1793. 
Samuel, b Feb. 3, 1795. Polly, b Jan. 28, 1797. Paul, 
jr., b March 7, 1790. 

Silas Lambert, son of Gideon L., m Hannah Soule 
Bonney. c Jarvis, b Sept. 11, 1793, m 2 sisters, (Holland.) 
Olive, b Aug. 19, 1795, m Samuel Webb. Silas, b May 
7, 1798, d Sept. 8, 1818. 

James Lane, m Eunice . c Anna, b May 3, 1782. 

Abraham Chase, b July 19, 1784. Serena, b Dec. 6, 
1786. James, jr., b May 2, 1789. 

Joseph Lawrence, m Joanna — -. c Abigail, b June 
10, 1794. Noah, b June 3, 1796. Sally, b May 9, 1798. 
Francis, b Dec. 19, 1799. 

Nathaniel Lovering, m Jerusha Follett. c Nathaniel, 
jr.,b Feb. 23, 1793. Jerusha, b Oct. 31, 1895, m Al- 
bert Hayward. John, b Jan. 4, 1799, m Bathsheba 
Wood. • 

Daniel Marrow, b in Medway, Mass., m Elizabeth 
Harding, c Reuben, b May 14, 1780. 

Daniel Marrow, jr., m Hannah Chandler, c Luther, 
b Aug. 20, 1787. Hannah, b Aug. 28, 1788, m James 
Wheeler. Achsah, b March 17, 1790, m Peasley Hoyt. 



190 HISTORY OP WINTHROP* 

Lewis, b Nov. 19, 1791, d Dec. 25, 1791. Alice, b March 
14, 1793. Daniel, 3d, b Nov. 28, 1794. Lois, b June 

19, 1796. David, b June 12, 1798. Rhoda, b March 

20, 1800, m Ebenezer Keen. 

Ebenezer Marrow, son of Daniel M., m Abigail Fisher, 

Jan. 5, 1792. c Milton, b Oct. 25, 1792, m 

Lambert. Clarissa, b April 8, 1795, m Longfellow. 

Zelotes Augustus, b July 27. 1797. John Broadhead, 
b Oct. 22, 1799, m Lydia L. Lambert. 

Samuel Marrow, m Chloe Titus, c Pamela, b Aug. 
27, 1798. Lewis, b Sept. 17, 1800. 

Nathaniel Marston m Elaenor Nelson, c Polly, b Nov. 
19, 1799. 

Joseph Matthews, m Merideth Esty. c Joseph, jr., b 
Dec. 29, 1796. 

Joseph Metcalf, b March 30,1765, in Franklin, Mass., m 
Olive Fairbanks, b Sept. 5, 1759, in Wrentham, Mass., 
m June 17, 1790. c Isaac Newton, b April 24, 1791, d 
Oct. 23, 1804. Susan, b Aug. 2, 1792, d Jan. 21, 1823, 
Almira, b Feb. 28, 1794, m Cephas Thomas. Joseph 
Addison, b Dec. 25, 1795, m Chloe F. Adams, he died 
June 17, 1845. Olive, b Jan. 2, 1798, m Samuel 
Wyman. Moses Haven, b Nov. 22, 1799, m Elizabeth 
D. Hamilton and Eliza Baker. 

Josiah Mitchell, m Eunice . c Betsy, b Nov. 25, 

1774. Lydia, b April 25, 1777. Molly, b Dec. 3, 1780. 
John, b June 15, 1783. 

Ebenezer Moore, m Eunice Norton, of Kittery. 
c Oliver, b Feb. 16, 1796. Infant, b Jan. 22, 1798, d 
next day. Polly Crocker, b Jan. 22, 1798, d Jan. 30, 
1798. Joanna, b Dec. 25, 1798. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 191 

Ebenezer Morton, b in MidcUeborougli, Mass., m Martha 
Wood and Nancy Adams, c Samuel, b July 24, 1782- 
son of Martha. John, b Dec. 16, 1794, d July 24, 1811. 
Ebenezer, Jr., b Dec. 6, 1797, sons of Nancy. 

Livy Morton, b in Middleboro', Mass., m Hannah Daily, 
March 13, 1788. c Daniel Oliver, b Dec. 21, 1788, 
graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., ordained pastor 
of Congregational Church, Shoreham, Vt. Joseph War- 
ren, b Aug. 25, 1793. Lendall, b March 22, 1796. The 
family returned to Middleborough in 1798. 

Nathaniel Morton, m Christina Ling, c Silvanus. b 
Sept. 2, 1791. Cornelius Bennett, b Jan. 14, 1793, m 
Sophia Chandler, daughter of John C, jr. Theodate 
Bennett, b April 5, 1798. Polly, b Nov. 19, 1799. 

Andrew Nelson, m Anna — . c James, b Sept 11, 1786. 

Elias Nelson, m Deborah Barrows, c Sarah, b 1794. 
Deborah, b May 31, 1798, m Leonard Norcross. Lot 
Packard, b June 18, 1800. They removed to Mon- 
mouth, and Mr. Nelson became pastor of the Baptist 
church in Jay. 

Joseph Norris, m Sally Fairbanks, daughter of Benja- 
min F., Nov. 24, 1785. c Velina, b Feb. 26, 1800. 

Amos Perley, b in Boxford, Mass., m Sally Smith. 
c Frederic. Israel. Sally. Fanny. Olive, b April 28, 
1793, d Sept. 1850 

Benjamin Porter, m Molly Barton, d Jan. 10, 1786. 
c Betsey, b Sept. 13,1779. John, b Dec. 25, 1780. 
Benjamin, Jr., b July 17, 1782, m Pamela Barton. 
Polly, b May 10, 1788. 

James Prescott, son of Jedediah, Senior, b Feb. 23, 
1767, m Policy Owen, b Dec. 20, 1767. c An infant d 
June 3, 1790. John, b March 17, 1791. Susan, b July 



192 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

9, 1792. Lewis, b Aug. 17, 1793. Sally, b Jan. 25, 
1795. William, b July 17, 1796. Amasa, b Nov. 1, 
1797. 

Jedediab Prescott, jr., b in Deerfield, N. H., Sept. 22, 
1746, m Sarah Morrill, b in Salisbury, Mass., March 28, 
1752. c Noah, b Dec. 1, 1773, m Betsey French. Mary, 
b Feb. 19, 1776, ni Daniel Matthews. Euth, b Jan. 10, 
1778, m Caleb Brown. Sally, b Sept. 27, 1779. John, 
b Dec. 7, 1781, m Anna Drake. Betsey, b Sept. 30, 
1783, d aged 4 years ; these were born in Deerfield. Josiah, 
b Sept. 2, 1782, M. D,, m Mary French. Lois, b April 

25, 1788. Levi, b March 22, 1790. James Bowdoin, b 
March 19, 1792. Betsey, b March 31, 1794. Jedediah, 
3d, b May 2, 1797. Hannah, b Sept. 8, 1800. e of 
Jedediah 1st — Jesse, Jedediah, jr., Samuel, James, Elijah. 

Odlin Prescott, son of Benjamin, m Elizabeth . 

c Elizabeth, b Aug. 12, 1773, m Ichabod Wing. Ruth 
Stevens, b June 5, 1781, m Christopher Ripley. Benja- 
min Rowe, b Feb. 22, 1785, m Betsey Emery. 

Samuel Prescott, son of Jedediah, senior, m Betty 
Whittier. c Benjamin, b April 24, 1782. Samuel, jr., 

b Sept. 4, 1783. Betty, b April 9, 1785, m Baker. 

Mary, b Dec. 11, 1788. Anna, b Nov. 18, 1790. 

Jesse Prescott, son of Jedediah, senior, m Polly Whit- 
tier. c Hannah, b April 13, 1785. 

John Pullen, m Amy, daughter of Squier and. Patience 
Bishop, June 24, 1785. c Abigail, b March 31, 1786. 

Parthena, b April 20, 1788, m McPherson. Phebe, 

b Aug. 11, 1790. Lydia, b March 9, 1793. Olive, b 
Sept. 28, 1795, m McPherson. Cynthia, b Nov. 

26, 1797, d Nov. 28, 1797. John. James. Sally B. 
b Dec. 15, r:98. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 193 

Jonathan Pullen, son of Stephen P., b Feb. 9, 1771, 
m Silva Bonney, March 5, 1794. c Cyrus, b Sept. 19, 

1794. Lois, b July 11, 1796, m Hinckley. 

Sullivan, b March 30, 1798. 

Jonathan Pullen, son of James P., m Lucy Barrows, 
Aug. 5, 1800. 

Oliver Pullen, m Abigail . c Sargent, b Jan. 9, 

1784. 

Stephen Pullen, m Mercy Blacldngton, d Sept. 14, 
1815, aged 72. c Abigail, b Aug. 30, 1769, d Feb. 22, 
1770. Jonathan, b Feb. 9, 1771, m Silva Bonney. 
Stephen, jr., b Jan. 12, 1773, d Feb. 25, 1773. Betsey, 
b Dec. 7, 1773, m Nathaniel Brewster. Stephen, jr., b 
Nov. 6, 1775. Mary, b Jan. 25, 1777, m Amos Stevens, 
jr. George b Feb. 5, 1779, m Harriet Gilbert. Nancy, 

b July 20, 1781, m Harvey. Lydia, b May 1, 

1783, m Caleb Parmenter. James, b Jan. 22, 1786, 

m Sally Harvey. Elioenai, b April 21, 1788, m 

Harvey. Lois, b April 21, 1788. Greenleaf, b July 10, 

1790, m Mary Hanscom. 

George Pullen, son of Stephen P., m Harriet Gilbert, 
Oct. 11, 1798, George.Washington, b Dec. 31, 1798. 
John Adams, b Dec. 31, 1798. 

William Pullen and Patience Bishop, c William, jr., 
b Jan. 21, 1774. William Pullen, senior, m Sarah Fair- 
banks, c Sally, b July 2, 1779, m David Chandler. 
Leonard, b July 18,|1781. James, b July 31, 1783, d 
Oct. 17, 1784. Clarissa, b May 11, 1786, m Dexter 
Pullen. Philena, b Oct. 21, 1789. 

Benjamin Read, m Mary Easty. c Leonard, b Oct. 13, 

1791. Polly, b March 12, 1793. Perrin and Perinthy, 



194 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

b June 17, 1796. Martha, b Aug. 16, 1798. Josepli, 
b July 9, 1800. 

Joseph Rice, m Olive Allen, June 12, 1787. c Joseph. 
Isabel, m Isaac Nelson. Matilda, m Samuel King, jr. 
Olive, m Benjamin King. Jerusha, b Nov. 9, 1797, m 
Bernard King. Betsey, b Feb. 17, 1800. 

Joseph Richards, m Sarah . c Samuel, b Nov. 

3, 1783. 

William Richards, m Joanna Whiting, daughter of 
Jona. W., May 6, 1785. c Anna, b April 27, 
1786. Susanna, b April 7, 1788, m Benja. Packard. 
John, b Oct. 28, 1789, m Mary Craig. William, jr., b 
Nov. 13, 1791. Pliny, b Sept. 25, 1793, d Sept. 24, 
1797. Elioenai. b Jan. 31, 1796. Joanna, b Jan. 6,. 
1799, m Rev. Josiah Houghton. 

Nathan Richmond, b Middleboro, Mass., m Mary 
Streeter. c Abigail, b Jan. 24, 1787, m Joseph Dow 
Leonard, b Jan. 25, 1789, m Nancy Sweet. Warren, b 

Sept. 27, 1790, m Jones. Mary, b May 7, 1792, m 

Joseph Fairbanks. Reliance, b Jan. 30, 1794, m Joseph 
Additon. Huldah, b June, 16, 1796, m Alson Lothrop, 
Nathan, jr., b Feb. 14, 1799, m Rhoda Lothrop. Salmon, 
b same date, m Silva Merrill. 

"^^ Asa Robbins, b May 5, 1759, m Olive Clark, b July 
13, 1762. c Benjamin, b Aug. 2, 1789, m Sybil Foster. 
Asa, jr., b July 28, 1791, m Hannah Shaw. Oliver, b 
April 11, 1793, m Asenath Wing. Cyrus, b Nov. 29, 
1796, m Orpah Packard. Olive, b Aug. 21. 1800, m 
William Huse. 

Daniel Robbins, b in Walpole, Massachusetts, August, 
1722, m Mary Kingsbury, b August, 1732. c Mary, b 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 195 

1752, m Fisher. Hannah, b 1754, m Peter Lyon. 

Daniel, jr., b February 27, 1757, m Mary Clark, and 
Eunice Wadsworth. Asa, b May 5, 1759, m Olive 
Clark, came to Winthrop, 1781. Azubah, b April 7, 

1761, m David Morse. Abigail, m Fisher. Elea- 

zar, b July 16, 1762, mMehitable Ladd. Kezia, b Mar. 
29, 1766, m David Manter. Mehitable, b November 7, 
1797, m Ebenezer King. Deborah. 

Daniel Robbins, jr., m Mary Clark, c Aquilla, b Nov. 
2, 1784. Clark, b April 9, 1786. His second wife was 
Eunice Wadsworth. c Jerusha, b July 18, 1792, m Rob- 
ert Goddard, d October 14, 1844. Hannah, b February 
6, 1795, m Ezekiel Bailey, d July 28, 1828. Mary, b 
November 7, 1797, m Ezekiel Bailey. 

Elcazar Robbins, son of Daniel, sen., b July 16, 1761, 
m Mehitable Ladd. c Mary, b October 14, 1797. Bet- 
sey, b April 30, 1799. 

Benjamin Sanborn, m Lucy French, 1799. 
Paul Sears, m Mercy Stevens, daughter of Jos. S., 1st, 
January 27, 1778. c John, b September 3, 1778. Moses, 
b December 3. 1779. Paul, jr., and Mercy, b July 5, 

1781 ; Paul, jr., m Susan Billington, and Mercy m 

White. Silas, b March 17, 1783. Alice, b October 22, 
1785, m Nathaniel Whittier. Thomas, b February 15, 
1788, d October 4, 1790. Charlotte, b November 27, 
1791, d September 13, 1814. Tryphena, b October 21, 
1793, m Tillotson Chandler, son of John, jr. 

Abraham Shaw, m Hannah Miller, c Samuel, b Feb. 
18, 1785, m Martha Briggs. Sally, b October 5, 1786, 
m Edward Starr. Abraham, jr., b December 6, 1789. 



196 HISTORY OP WINTHROP, 

Abishai Miller, b January 17, 1791, m Hannah Bishop, 
daughter of Nathaniel B. Oren, b March 26, 1793, m 
Eunice, daughter of Adin Stanley. Ebenezer, b July 
10, 1795, m Fanny Belcher. Hannah, b July 26, 1797, 
m Asa Robbins, jr. Susanna, b July 15, 1799. John, 
b October 28, 1800. 

Isaac Shaw, b in Middleborough, Mass., m Deborah 
Wood, daughter of Moses W., Jan. 15, 1790. c Lydia, b 
March 2, 1791. Isaac, jr., b October 17, 1792, m Eunice 
Foster, daughter of Steuart F. Earl, b December ], 
1794, m Caroline and Prescilla Thomas, daughters of 
Siivanus Thomas. Samuel Wood and Phebe Wood, b 
April 15, 1798 ; hed August 6, 1725. 

Elisha Smith, m Susanna . c Beulah, b September 

19, 1769. Abigail, b December 8, 1771. Susanna, b 
July 17, 1775. Hannah, b September 13, 1777. 

Jacob Smith, m E,ebecca Hopkins, c Dorothy, b April 
21, 1788. Jane, b October 28, 1790. Greenleaf, b 
August 29, 1792. Lydia, b June 27, 1797. 

Matthias Smith, m Comfort . c Charles, b Aug. 

28, 1777. Matthias, jr., m Temperance Blossom, Nov. 
24, 1785. 

Ransford Smith, m Mary . c Abijah, b January 

3, 1771. Mary, b February 24, 1776. 

Adin Stanley, son of Jacob Stanley, m Silence Packard, 
c Lemuel, b October 29, 1784, m Mehitable Oilman, and 
Lucy Benjamin. Dexter, b July 8, 1787, died Sept. 
3, 1807. Morrell, b January 15, 1791, m Polly An- 
drews, and Charlotte Oilman. Eunice, b November 9, 
1793, m Oren Shaw ; he d April 7, 1844. 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 197 

Henry Stanley, son of Jacob Stanley, m Joanna Smith 
c Sewall, b September 29, 1799, m Lucy Philbrook, 
daughter of Charles P. 

Nathaniel Stanley, m Abigail Hall, c Nathaniel, jr., 
b July 4, 1772. Patty, b November 21, 1775, d August 
19, 1787. Nathan, b April 13, 1777. They removed 
early to Belfast. 

Peter Stanley, son of Solomon S., m Criscinda Rice, 
c George Washington, b March 1800. 

Rial Stanley, b March 11, 1759, m Abigail Fairbanks, 
b Jan. 20, 176-. c Martha, b September 5, 1783, m 
Nathan F. Cobb. Fanny, b October 3, 1785, m Barney 
Haskell. Waterman, b March 10, 1788, m Polly Rich- 
ardson. Abigail, b May 16, 1791, m Fred. Lecrois, 
Jonathan Lee, b November 6, 1794. 

Solomon Stanley, m Patience Perry, c Patience, m 
Dr. Samuel Currier. Liberty, b 1776. Solomon, jr., 

b September 15, 1780, m Hayward. Abigail, b 

March 19, 1782. Peter. 

James Stanley, m Grace Tupper, April 3, 1793. 

Amos Stevens, son of Joseph, b July 16, 1749, m Mary 
Whiting, daughter of Jonathan W., sen. c Amos, jr., 
b April 30, 1775. John Whiting, b October 10, 1777, 
d October 11, 1778. James, b January 17, 1779. Asa, 
b May 2, 1780, d March 26, 1783. John, b March 18, 
1783. Whiting, b May 25, 1784. Levi, b April 3, 
1787. Philena, b September 12, 1788, m Butler. 

Amos Stevens, jr., m Polly Pullen. c Susanna, b 
March 18, 1796. Sumner, b February 10, 1797. Bet- 
sey, b June 23, 1798. Polly, b December 17, 1799. 

Daniel Stevens, b January 23, 1763, m Rachel Hilliard, 



198 HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 

b May 15, 1770. c Hannah, b March 8, 1789. Rachel, 
b March 26- 1791. Benjamin Hilliard, b June 10, 1793. 
Elisabeth, b April 12, 1795. Daniel, jr., b May 17, 
1797. Sally, b October 18, 1799. 

Ephraim Stevens, son of Joseph, sen., b June 29, 
1758, m Sybil Foster, c Hannah, b January 6, 1783. 
Thomas, b May 29, 1784, m Anna Foster. Aaron, b 
February 26, 1786, m Ruth Delano. Ephraim, jr., b 
March 17, 1788. Eliphalet, b April 11, 1790. Sybil, b 
March 15, 1792. Joshua, b March 21, 1794. Anna, b 
January 20, 1796. 

James Stevens, son of Amos^S., m Abigail Stanley, 
daughter of Solomon S. c James, jr., b Nov. 5, 1800. 

Joseph Stevens, b in Billerica, Massachusetts, October 
20, 1720, m Elisabeth Emery, b in the same place, in 
1723 ; he d October, 1791, and she d February 28, 1798. 
c Elisabeth, b October 10, 1744. Joseph, jr., b April 
8, 1746, d 1747. Joseph, jr., b October 31, 1747. 
Amos, b July 16, 1749, m Mary Whiting, daughter of 
Jonathan W., February 14, 1774. Samuel, b April 28, 
1751. Mercy, b November 23, 1752, m Paul Sears. 
Abel, b April 27, 1755. Esther, b October 6, 1756, m 
James Work. Ephraim, b June 29, 1758, m Sybil Fos- 
ter. William, b July 4, 1760, m Susan Whiting, daughter 
of Jonathan W. Jonas, b April 20, 1763, m Sarah Wy- 
man. c of Jonas and SaraK, W. Stevens, Jonas, jr., b 
May 27, 1786, m Sarah Sprague. Sarah, b January 27, 
1788. Zachariah, b June 12, 1790, and d young. Nan- 
cy, b July 1, 1792, d young. Jonas, sen., also m Elis- 
abeth Marrow, c Timothy, b August 29, 1704, m Cath- 
arine S. Potter, in N. Y. city. He sailed from N. Y., 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 199 

master of a ship, and was never heard of. Philemon, b 
August 8, 1796, m Fidelia Smith. Benjamin, b January 
5, 1799, m Camilla Howard. 

Joseph Stevens, jr., m Rachel — — . c Lucy, b Feb. 
17, 1774. Betty, b March 3, 1776. Joseph, 3d, b Feb. 
16, 1778. Abel, b February 20, 1780. Rachel, b 
April 7, 1782. 

Samuel Stevens, m Lois Allen, c Lois,b January 15, 

1775, m Kendall. Samuel, jr., b March 11, 1777. 

Eunice, b Jan. 19, 1779. William, b Sept. 23, 1780. 

"William Stevens, b July 4, 1760, m Susanna Whiting, 
daughter of Jonathan Whiting, Esq. c Asenath, b July 
11, 1784. Susanna, b October 19, 1785. Martha, b 
May 31, 1787. Elioenai, b February 17, 1789. Jane, 
b December 20, 1790. John, b Septegiber 22, 1793. 
Joanna, b March 31, 1795. William, jr., b July 28^ 
1797. Bathsheba, b November 2, 1799. 

John Streeter, m Mercy . c Nancy, b September 

13, 1786. John, jr., b December 18, 1788. Rhoda, b 
August 15, 1791. Clarissa, b September 27, 1793. 
Melinda, b April 2, 1796. 

Arnold Sweet, m Polly Bonney, March 9, 1789, d 
March 25, 1798. c Nancy, b May 2, 1791, m Leonard 
Richmond, son of Nathan R. Arnold, jr., b March 21, 
1793, m Susan B. King, Aug. 2, 1818. Polly, b. Aug. 
30, 1796, m Jona. Currier, jr. Florena, b Feb. 1 0, 1798. 
m Samuel Wood, jr. 

Ellis Sweet, m Polly Fuller, c Loren, b Aug. 7, 
1796. 

Jesse Sweet, m Deborah Bonney. c John, b July 23, 
1800. 



200 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Alexander Tliompson, m Dorcas Brown, Feb. 22, 1789. 
c Zilpha, b Dec. 20, 1790. Rebecca, b Jan. 26, 1793. 
James, b Jan. 1, 1794. Ira, b Dec. 30, 1796. Aaron, 
b Feb. 12, 1799. 

Benjamin Tibbets, m Betsey . c Joseph, b Jan. 

10, 1800. 

John Turner, m Rachel . c Nancy, b Jan. 18, 

1753. Sarah, b June 5, 1785. John, jr., b Nov. 24, 
1788. Thomas, b June 24, 1791. James, b Feb, 1, 
1794. Catharine, b July 13, 1796. 

Aaron Wadsworth, m Lucy Stevens, c Aaron, jr., b 
Feb. 11, 1796. James, b July 26, 1797. Susanna, b 
May 2, 1799. 

Edward Washburn, m Polly Foster, daughter of Samuel 
F. c Hannah, b^ay 3, 1791. Polly, b March §1, 1793. 
Cynthia, b Dec. 23, 1794. Olive, b Jan. 19, 1797. Ab- 
ncr Waterman, b Oct. 19, 1798. Asenath, b July 3, 
1800. 

John Wadsworth, m Hannah Crane, c John, jr.. b 
Feb. 5, 1789, m Abigail Smith. Mary, b March 5, 1791- 
David, d Feb. 18, 1799. Hannah, b March 16, 1792, d 
April 13, 1792. Isaac, b June 10, 1793, m Rebecca 
Hewins. Stratton, b Sept. 30, 1795, d Nov. 21, 1814. 
Alva, b Aug. 18, 1797. Sally, b Dec. 7, 1800. 

Moses Wadsworth, m Hannah . c Daniel, b May 

15, 1799. 

Samuel Wadsworth, m Abigail . c Abigail, 

b June 23, 1791. Hannah, b June 10, 1793. 
Samuel, jr., b May 31, 1795. Olive, b Sept. 6, 1797. 

Robert Waugh, m Elizabeth . c Robert, jr., b 

March 25, 17G7, m Sally Smith, March 22, 1791. John, 



HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 201 

b Aug. 14, 1770. Samuel, b July 27, 1772, m Betsey 
Page, 1799. Elizabeth, b May 10, 1774. George, b 
Jan. 12, 1777, m Nancy Turner. 

Benjamin White, m Mary . c Polly, b Sept. 14, 

1785. Ebenezer, b Oct. 14, 1786. 

Joel White, b Jan. 16, 1764, in Dedham, Mass, m 

Mella . c Moses, b Jan. 29, 1788, m Mary Low^ 

daughter of Rev. Robert Low. Joel, jr., b July 24, 1790, 
m Sarah Keen. Lewis, b Dec. 17, 1792. Mella, b Feb. 
5, 1795, m Jonathan Whiting, 3d. Eliza b May 6, 1797. 
Sarah, b March 16, 1799. 

John White, m Jennette . c Benjamin, b May 

13, 1790. Milley, b April 7, 1792. John Randall, b 
Jan. 1, 1792. Ambrose, b April 19, 1796. Sewall, b 
April 15, 1798. Thomas, b Aug. 3, 1800, d Aug. 22, 
1800. 

Jonathan Whiting, m Elioenai, daughter of Rev. 
David Thurston, Wrentham, Mass. c Elias, d May 3, 
1775. John, d Dec. 10, 1775. Thurston, Mary, Susan, 
Joanna. 

Jonathan Whiting, jr., m Sarah Whittier, Sept. 1 6, 
1778, and Betsey Davies. c Sarah, b Aug. 24, 1779, m 
Richard Kidder. Betsey, b June 9, 1781. Elioenai, b 
May 29, 1783, m Edmund Frost. Hannah, b Jan. 17, 
1785, m Abijah Joy. Jonathan, 3d, b Nov. 7, 1786, m 

Susan Hathorn, Amelia White, and Richards. 

Nathaniel, b Aug. 20, 1792, m Apphia Kezer and Abi- 
gail Slack. Miriam, b Feb. 1, 1795, m Asa W. Soule, 
Elias, b June 24, 1800, m and Marinda Hale. 

Thomas Whittier, m Waitstill Bishop, daughter of 



202 HISTORY OP WINTHROP. 

Squier B. c Porter, b Oct. 17, 1781. Benjamin, b Aug. 
21, 1783. Lois, b Dec. 2, 1785. ^ 

William Whittier, m Betsey Hankerson. c John, b 
May 25, 1775. Hannah, b Dec. 10, 1776. Sarab, b 
Aug. 13, 1778. Dorcas, b March 30, 1780. Polly Porter, 
b March 6, 1782. Betsey, b Jan. 6, 1784. Miriam, b 
Nov. 11. 1785. 

Eliphalet Wight, m Abigail Besse. c Salome, b Sept. 
10, 1795. Mary, b Jan. 20, 1 797. Kezia, b Feb. 7, 1799. 

Timothy Wight, m Sarah Fisher, c Sarah, b Jan 30> 
1778. Jonathan, b Dec. 11, 1780. Benjamin, b Mar. 23, 
1783. Joseph, b Mar. 9, 1787. 

Ichabod Wing, m Elisabeth Prescot, daughter of Odlln 
P. c Lucy B. b July, 24, 1793, m Lewis E,owe. Leafy, 
bSept. 15, 1795, m Cyrus Weston. Gorham Albion, b 
July, 15,^1798, M. D. 

Andrew Wood, b in Middleborough,Mass. m Mary Camp. 
c John, b July 23, 1790, m Hannah Ward and Dolly 
Stevens. Armida, b Mar. 21, 1782, m AmasaTinkham. 
Polly, b Feb. 26, 1794, m Jeremiah Smith. Christina, 
b Mar. 20, 1796, m Mordecai E. Morton. Andrew, Jr., 
b May 1, 1798, m Lydia Dole. Sumner, b Oct. 12, 1800 
m Mary Andrews. 
Elijah Wood, b in MiddIeborough,Mass., m Salley Clif- 
ford, c Samuel, b Dec. 1 1790, m Florena Sweet. Trux- 
ton, b Dec. 28, 1799, m Submit Blaisdell. 

Enoch Wood, b in Middleboro', Mass., m Priscilla 
Camp, c Hannah, b Jan. 26, 1793, m James PuUen. 
Alonzo, b Feb. 0, 1795, m Abigail H. Branch. Selinda* 
b July 18, 1796, m David Eastman. 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 203 

Henry "Wood, jr., son of Moses, senior, m Eunice How, 
daughter of Ichabod H,, Oct. 1, 1800. 

Moses Wood, jr., m Nancy Esty. c Moses, 3d, b July 
15, 1798. 

Isaiah Wood, m Rebecca Perley, Jan. 6, 1799. 

Jason Wood, m Desire . c Elizabeth, b Aug. 18, 

1798. 

Phinehas Wood, m Jedidah . c Theodata, b Sept. 

4, 1794. Polly, b Dec. 1, 1797. Lucy, b April 27, 1800. 
^y David Woodcock, m Mary Pullen, and Sarah Bragg, 
c of David and Mary. Liberty, b 1776. William, b 
September 13, 1780. Hannah, b September 16, 1782. 
Azi, b September 13, 1784. David, jr., b February 17, 
1787. Polly, b May 30, 1789. James, b October 24, 
1792, m Polly Monk. Josiah, b April 2, 1794, d July 
27, 1816. Matthew, b November 22, 1796, m Sukey 
Monk, d June 10, 1836. Gustavus Adolphus, b April 10, 
1799. 

William Woodcock, m Lucy Buzzel, daughter of Jon- 
athan B. c Melinda, b October 9, 1800. 

James Work, m Esther Stevens, c Abel, b August 
14, 1778. Polly, b April 28, 1780. Sally, b March 22, 
1782, m John Lake. John, b July 13,1785. Levi, b 
July 17, 1787. James, jr., b June 26, 1789. Lucy, b 
February 1, 1792. Joel, b July 1, 1794. 

Abraham Wyman, m Dorothy . c Abraham, jr., 

b March 9, 1768. Thomas, b August 9, 1 770. William, 
b April 11, 1774. Luther, b July 7, 1778. Luther, b 
September 9, 1780. Betsey, b February 25, 1785, 

Daniel Wyman, m Ruth Wing, c John, b November 
23, 1778. Daniel, jr., b September 5, 1780. 



\ 



APPENDIX 



TO THE 



HISTORY OF WINTHROP. 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE A.. 

That posterity may know through wWt a long and 
formal process the early settlers had to pass, just to obtain 
a valid security to their lands, the following Deed is 
copied : — - 

To all to whom these Presents may come, Gi^EETiisra. 

Whereas his late Majesty King James the First, for 
the Advancement of a Colony and Plantation in New^ 
England^ in America^ by his Highness's Letters Patents 
under the Great Seal of England, bearing Date at West- 
minster, the Third day of Novemher, in the Eighteenth 
Year of his Highness's Reign of England, &c. did grant 
unto the Right Honourable Lodowick, late Lord Duke 
of Lenox, George late Lord Marquis of Buckingham, 
James Marquis of Hamilton, Thomas Earl of Arimdle, 



208 APPENDIX. 

Rohert Earl of Warwick, Sir Ferdinando Georges, Knt. 
and divers others whose names are expressed in the said 
Letters Patents, and their Successors, that they should 
be one Body Politick and Corporate, perpetually consist- 
ing of forty persons, that they should have perpetual 
Succession, and one Common Seal to serve for the said 
Body, and that they and their Successors should be 
incorporated, called and known by the Name of the 
Council established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, 
for the planting, ruling, ordering and governing of NeW" 
England, in America : And further also did grant unto 
the said President and Council, and their Successors for- 
ever, under the Reservations in the said Letters Patents 
expressed ; All that Part and Portion of the said Country 
called NeiV'England, in America, situate, lying and being 
in Breadth fro'lm forty Degrees of Northerly Latitude 
from the Equinoctial Line, to forty-eight Degrees of the 
said Northerly Latitude inclusively, and in Length of 
and in all the Breadth aforesaid, throughout the Main 
Lands from Sea to Sea, together also, with all the firm 
Lands, Soils, Grounds, Creeks, Inlets, Havens, Ports, 
Seas, Rivers, Islands, Waters, Fishings, Mines, Minerals, 
jDrecious Stones, Quarries, and all and singular the Com- 
modities and Jurisdictions, both within the said Tract of 
Land lying upon the Main, as also within the said Islands 
and Seas adjoining: To have, hold, possess and enjoy 
the same unto the said Council and their Successors and 
Assigns forever, to be holden of his Majesty, his Heirs 
and Successors, as of his Manor, of East- Greenwich, in 
the County of Kefit, in free and common Soccage, yield- 



APPENDIX. 209 

ing and i^aying therefor to the said late King's Majesty, 
his Heirs and Successors, the fifth Part of the Ore of 
Gold and Silver as in and by the said Letters Patents, 
amongst other Privileges and Matters therein contained, 
more fully and at large it doth and may appear. 

And Whereas the said Council established at Plymouth 
in the County of Devon, by their Charter and Deed of 
Affeofment bearing Date the Sixteenth Day of January^ 
A. D. One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty-Nine, 
by Virtue and Authority of his said late Majesty's Let- 
ters Patents, and for and in Consideration, that William 
Bradford, and his Associates had for these Nine Years 
lived in New-England aforesaid, and there inhabited and 
plan Led a Town called by the Name of New-Plymouth, 
at their ovrn proper Cost and Charges ; and seeing that 
by the special Providence of God, and their extraordinary 
Care and Industry, they had increased their Plantation 
to near three Hundred People, and were able to relieve 
any new Planters, or other His Majesty's Subjects upon 
that Coast ; granted and assigned unto the said William 
Bradford, his Heirs, Associates and Assigns, all that 
Part of New-England in America aforesaid, and Tract 
and Tracts of Lands that lie within or between a certain 
Kivulet or E-undlet there, commonly called Coahasset, 
alias Conahassett, towards the North, and the River com- 
monly called Narragansett River, towards the South, 
and the great Western Ocean towards the East, and 
between and within a straight Line directly extending 
up into the Main Land towards the West, from the 
Mouth of the said River, called Narragansett River, to 



210 APPENDIX. 

the utmost Limits and Bounds of a Country or Place in 
New-England commonly called Pocanacutt^ alias Sawam- 
set, Westward, and another like straight Line extending 
itself directly from the Mouth of the said River called 
Coahasset, alias Conahassett, to the West, so far up into 
the Main Land Westward, as the utmost Limits of the 
said Place or Country commonly called Pocanacutt, alias 
Sawamset, do extend, together with one half of the said 
River called Narragansett, and the said Rivulet or Rund- 
let called Coahasset, alias Conahassett, and all Lands, 
Rivers, Waters, Havens, Creeks, Ports, Fishings, Fowl- 
ings, whatsoeyer, situate, lying and being, or arising 
within or between the said Limits and Bounds, or any 
of them. 

And FOR AS MUCH as they had no convenient 
Place either of Trading or FISHING within their own 
Precincts, whereby after so long Travel and great Pains 
so hopeful a Plantation might subsist, as also that they 
might be encouraged the better to proceed in so pious a 
Work, which might especially tend to the Propagation of 
Religion, and the great Increase of Trade to his Majesty's 
Realms, and Advancement of the public Plantation ; 

The said Council further granted and assigned unto 
the said William Bradford, his Heirs, Associates and 
Assigns, ALL that Tract of Land, or Part of New-Eng- 
land in America aforesaid, which lieth within or between, 
and extendeth itself from the utmost limits of Colbise- 
conte, alias Comaseconte, which adjoineth to the River of 
Kennebeck, alias Kenehekike, toM^ards the Western Ocean, 
and a Place called the Falls, at Neguamkike, in America 



APPENDIX. 211 

aforesaid, and the space of fifteen English miles on each 
side of the said River commonly called Kenneheck River, 
and all the said River called Kenneieck, that lies within 
the said Limits, and Bounds Eastward, Westward, North- 
ward or Southward last above-mentioned, and all Lands> 
Grounds, Soils, Rivers, Waters, Fishings, situate, lying 
and being, arising, happening or accruing in or within 
the said Limits and Bounds, or either of them, together 
with all Rights and Jurisdictions thereof, the Admiralty 
Jurisdiction excepted, in as free, large, ample and benefi- 
cial Manner, to all Intents, Constructions and Purposes 
whatsoever, as the said Council by virtue of his Majesty's 
Letters Patents might or could grant. 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract and Tracts 
of Lands, and all and singular the Premises above-men- 
tioned to be granted, with their and every of their Ap- 
purtenances to the said William Bradford, his Heirs, 
Associates and Assigns forever, to the only proper and 
absolute Use and Behoof of the said William Bradford, 
his Heirs, Associates and Assigns forever, yielding and 
paying unto our said Sovereign Lord the King, his Heirs 
and Successors forever, one fifth Part of the Ore of the 
Mines of Gold and Silver, and one other fifth Part thereof 
to the President and Council which shall be had, pos- 
sessed and obtained within the Precincts aforesaid, for 
all Services whatsoever, as in said Charter may more fully 
appear. 

And whereas the said William Bradford and his As- 
sociates, afterwards assigned over and surrendered up to 
the late Colony of NeW'Ply7nouth, the aforesaid Tract on 



212 APPENDIX. 

Kennebech Hlver, together with other Lands ; and the 
same Colony afterwards, viz. on the Twenty-seventh 
Day of October, A. D. 1661, being seized of the whole 
Tract aforesaid on Kenneheck River, and also the Lands 
on both sides the said River, upwards to Wisserunscut, 
alias Wesserunskick, by their Deed of Bargain and Sale 
of that Date, for and in Consideration of the Sum of 
FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS Sterling, sold all the said 
Lands on said River to Antipas Boyes, Edward Tyng, 
Thomas Brattle and John Winslow, their and every of 
their Heirs and Assigns forever, as by the said Deed 
registered in the Records of said Colony may more fully 
appear. And the Lands last mentioned in said Deed by 
a Release and Confirmation were afterwards confirmed to 
the said John Winslow and his Partners aforesaid, their 
Heirs and Assigns forever, on both Sides of said Kenne- 
heck River as far up as the upper or most Northern Part 
of Wesserunskick aforesaid. KNOW YE, That we, 
the Heirs and Assigns of the said Antipas Boyes, Edward 
Tyng, Thomas Brattle and John Winslow, of and in all 
said Lands on Kennebeck River aforesaid, and legal Pro- 
prietors thereof, at our Meeting held at Boston, this 
Twelfth Day of April, A. D. 1769, called and regulated 
according to Law, have voted, granted and asssigned to 
JOHN CHANDLER, of a place called Pond Town, in 
the County of Lincoln and Province of Massachusetts 
Bay, in New-England, yeoman, his Heirs and Assigns 
forever, a lot of Land in said Pond Town, being one 
mile long and one hundred poles wide, and containing 
two hundred acres, and is lot Number forty-eight, as per 
plan of said Township will appear, but upon the follow- 



APPENDIX* 2 13 

ing conditions viz. Tliat tlie said John Chandler build an 
house not less than twenty feet square and seven feet 
stud, clear, and bring to, fit for tillage, five acres of 
land within three years from the date hereof, and actu- 
ally live and dwell upon the premises himself during said 
term ; or in case of his death, that his heirs, or some 
person under them shall dwell thereupon for seven years 
after the expiration of said three years ; also work upon 
the Ministerial lot, or in building the House for the 
public Worship of God, two days in a year for ten years 
to come, when required by the Standing Committee of 
this Propriety, or their agent ; also two days in a year 
upon the Public Lands until said Lands shall be incor- 
porated into a Township, and also that he submit himself, 
relating to all Town afiairs, to what shall be Voted by 
the major part of the settlers, (of said Pond Town,) at 
any meeting duly called. Reserving to this Propriety 
all mines and minerals whatsoever within the hereby 
granted premises, with liberty of digging and carrying 
oE the same. 

AND for the better perpetuating the aforesaid Vote 
and Grant of said Lands to the said John Chandler, his 
Heirs and Assigns for ever. We the said ^Proprietors at 
our said Meeting have further Voted, that the Clerk of 
this Propriety for the Time being be, and he hereby is 
directed and authorized, at the Request and Cost of the 
above-named Grantee, unto our said Votes and Grant of 
the Lands aforesaid, to affix the common Seal of said 
Propriety, and as Clerk as aforesaid, to acknowledge 
before any Justice in said Commonwealth the said Votes 
and Grant to be the Votes and Grant of said Proprietors 



214 APPENDIX. 

for the purpose above-mentioned, and the Seal hereto 
affixed, to be the common Seal of said Propriety. 

HENRY ALLINE, Jun'b, [ .^^S'^ ""l , 

SUFFOLK ss. Boston, The twelfth Day of May, A. D. 

1769. 

[L. S.] THIS Day personally appeared HENRY 
ALLINE, Jun'b, Clerk of the Proprietors of the Ken^ 
neheck Purchase from the late Colony of New-Plymouth^ 
and acknowledged the above-mentioned Votes and Grant 
to be the Votes and Grant of said Proprietors to the 
within named John Chandler, And the Seal hereto by 
him affixed as Clerk as aforesaid, to be the Common Seal 
of said Propriety. 

Before me, JOHN HILL, Justice of the Peace. 

LINCOLN, ss. Received Septem'r 27th, 1774 and re- 
corded with the Records for Deeds in said County, 
Lib. 2d, Fol. 236. 

Att'st : JONA. BOWMAN, Reg. 

All the first settlers had Deeds similar to this. 



APPENDIX. 215 



NOTE B. 



Anno Regni Regis Georgia Tertio Undecimo. 

ACT OF INCOEPOEA.TION. 

Whereas, the Inhabitants of a certain Tract of land 
called Pond Town, lying on the west side of Kennebec 
Kiver, in the County of Lincoln, are desirous of enjoy- 
ing the Privileges that will arise to them by being incor- 
porated into a town, 

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of 
Representatives, that the Tract of land aforesaid, butted 
and bounded as follows, viz ; Beginning on the west side 
of Cobbesseconte great Pond, at the easterly end of the 
southerly line of a two hundred acre lot numbered one ; 
from thence to run a west-north-west course five miles ; 
from thence to run a north-north-east course about nine 
miles, until it meets a line running west-north-west from 
the north-west corner of the town of Hallowell; from 
thence to run east-north-east on the last mentioned line 
fieven miles more or less, to the north-west corner of the 
said town ; and from thence to run southerly on the west 
line of said town as fer as the northerly end of Cobbes- 
seconte great Pond ; from thence to run westerly on the 
northerly end of said Pond to the west side thereof; 



216 APPENDIX. 

thence to run southerly on the westerly side of said Pond 
to the first mentioned boundary ; containing also the said 
Pond as far south as the boundary, be and hereby is en- 
acted into a township by the name of Winthrop ; and 
that the Inhabitants thereof be and hereby are invested 
with all the Powers, Privileges and Immunities which 
the Inhabitants of any of the Towns within this Province 
do, or by law ought to enjoy. 

Aiid he it further enacted, that James Howard, Esq^ 
be and hereby is empowered to issue his warrant directed 
to some principal Inhabitant in said Township, requiring 
him to notify and warn the Inhabitants in said Township^ 
qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, to meet at such 
time and place as shall be therein set forth, to choose all 
such officers as shall be necessary to manage the affairs 
of said Township. 

And he it further enacted^ that the freeholders of the 
said Town shall be and hereby are empowered, at their 
first meeting, to proceed to bring in their votes for Reg- 
ister of Deeds, and also for a Treasurer for the said 
County of Lincoln, qualified according to law ; and the 
votes for such Register and Treasurer shall be at the 
same time sealed up by a Constable of said Town, who 
may then be chosen and sworn, and by him returned into 
the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, to be holden 
in June next, at Pownalborough, for the said County, in 
the same manner as is provided by law in like cases for 
other Towns within this Province ; Avhich Court is hereby 
authorized and required to receive the said votes, which 
votes with the votes of the other Towns of said County, 
shall be opened, sorted and counted, as the law di rects. 



APPENDIX. 217 

for tlie determining the choice of such Register and 
Treasurer, and such choice shall be to all intents and 
purposes valid and effectual in law. 

And be it further enacted^ that if by reason of sick- 
ness, or any other means, the said James Howard, Esq. 
shall be prevented from performing the business, (or any 
part thereof,) to which he is appointed by this act, then, 
in that case, William Gushing, Esq. shall be and hereby 
is empowered to transact the whole, or any part of said 
business, as fully and effectually as the said James How- 
ard is by the several clauses of this act, empowered to 
transact the same. 

ApEiii 26, 1771. — This bill having been read three 

several times in the House of Representatives, passed to 

be enacted. 

Thomas Gushing, Speaker. 

Apkil 26, 1771. — This bill having been read three 
several times in Gouncil, passed to be enacted. 

Thomas Flucker, Sec'y. 

April 26, 1771. — By the Governor. I consent to the 

enacting of this bill. 

T. Hutchinson. 

Attest: Wm. Tudor, Secretary of the State. 

The leaf of the Town Records containing a copy of 
the warrant for the first Town meeting, is torn, and part 
of it lost. The date and siarnatui-e are as follows : — 



■■&' 



" Given under my hand and seal, the sixth day of May, 
1771, at Fort Western, James Howard, Justice of 
Peace.'' 



218 APPENDIX. 

From the fragments of the Town Records, it is in- 
ferred, that this warrant was directed to Mr. John CJian- 
dler, who, in obedience to instructions, warned a meet- 
ing of the inhabitants to be held on the 20th of May. 



APPENDIS. 219 



NOTE O. 



It may gratify tlie curiosity of some to know tlie an- 
cient formalities of calling a Town meeting. 

Febeuakt, ye. 3d. A. D., 1772. 
** The select men met and ordered the Town Clerk to 
issue his warrant to Stephen Pullen, Constable, to warn 
the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of 
Winthrop duly qualified by Law to vote in Town affairs, 
to meet at the house of Squier Bishop, Innholder, in said 
Town on Monday the second day of March next, at nine 
o'clock in the morning, then and there, if the Town see 
cause, to act upon the following particulars, viz : 

Then follows an enumeration of six particulars. The 
town Clerk's warrant was as follows : 

Lincoln, ss. To Stephen Pullen^ Constahle of the town 
of Wifithrop, within the County of Lincoln, Greeting : 
In his Majesty's name you are required to warn the 
Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Win- 
throp duly i^ qualified by Law to vote in town afiairs to 
meet at the house of Squier Bishop, Innholder, in said 
Town on Monday the second day of march next at nine 
o'clock in the morning, then and there, if the Town see 
cause to act upon the following articles. 



220 APPENDIX. 

I. To clioose Town Officers to serve the town tlie 
year enstiing. 

II. To hear the Report of the Selectmen respecting the 
highways they have laid out the year past and to con- 
firm the same if they shall see cause. 

III. To pay the Town's just Debts. 

IV. To order such names into the Box asthe Town 
shall think proper, to serve as Petit Jurors at the inferior 
court of Common Pleas. 

V. To choose a Committee to solicit Mr. Gardiner 
to open a place through or round his mill-dam to let 
the fish up for the benefit of the Town. 

VI. To see if it be the minds of the Town to make 
and repair their highways by a Tax, and if so to raise 
money for the same. 

Hereof fail not and make a return of this warrant 
with your doings hereon at one hour before the time set 
for the meeting. 

By order of the Selectmen, 

JONATHAN WHITING, Town Clerk. 
Winthrop, Feb. ye. 3d, 1772." 



APPENDIX. 221 



nsroTE D. 



Names of tlie original members of the Congregational 

Churcli, organized Sept. 4, 1776. 

Jonathan Whiting, Nathaniel Stanley, 

Elias Taylor, Josiah Hall, 

Joseph Stephens, Hansford Smith. 

Nathaniel Floyd, Mary Taylor, 

Samuel Frost, Elizabeth Stevens, 

John Chandler, Sarah Floyd, 

Pease Clark, Abigail Stanley, 

Thomas Allen, Sarah Delano, j 

Jonathan Davenport, Abigail Hall, 

Amos Stevens, Dorcas Baker, 

Ebenezer Davenport, Mary Stevens, 

Gideon Lambert, Anne Hall, 

Joseph Baker, Susanna Lambert. 

CoYENANT adopted by the Congregational Church, at 
their organization, Sept. 4, 1776. 

" We, being distant from any neighboring church, and 
desirous of having the ordinances of the gospel occasion- 
ally administered among us, till settled, which we hope 
will be soon, do enter into a church estate ; and in the 
fear of God and under a humiliating sense of our own 
unworthiness to transact with the glorious God ; and 
with a humble dependence on the grace of God, covenant 
with Him and with one another as followeth, viz : 

First of all, we do solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah, 



222 - APPENDIX. 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for our portion and chief 
good ; and give up ourselves, bodies and souls, to Him, to 
be his servants, promising by his aid and assistance to 
love, fear and trust in Him, and yield obedience to Him 
in all things, all the days of our lives. 

And whereas the Son of God, in our nature, is exalted 
as a Prince and Saviour, the only Mediator of the new 
covenant and means of coming to God, we do therefore, 
through grace accept of Him according to the tenor of 
the gospel offer, that is to say, of Prophet, Priest and 
King of our immortal souls, purposing and promising to 
attend his teaching, his word and Spirit, to lean upon, 
his merits and intercession with the Father, as the only 
way for the obtainment of the pardon of our sins, the 
favor of God and continuance therein, and finally the 
subduing of all our enemies, and working all our works 
in us and for us. 

And further, whereas there are different apprehensions 
in the minds of the great and wise men, even in the doc- 
trines of religion, we do declare our consent to them, as 
held forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith, or 
Shorter Catechism, apprehending in our judgments and 
consciences, that they are agreeable to the holy Scrip- 
tures. 

Again, whereas God has promised to be a God unto 
his people and their children after them, we do therefore 
dedicate our children to the service of God in Jesus 
Christ, promising that we will seasonably bring those of 
them, that are unbaptized, to Jesus Christ in the ordi- 
nance of baptism ; and as they grow up in years of un- 
derstanding, instruct them into the nature, use and end 



APPENDIP. 223 

of tliat ordinance, and in the principles of tlie christian 
religion so far as need is, that we will set good examples 
of piety, righteousness and sobriety before them, restrain- 
ing them, as we are able, from being carried away with 
the temptations of their age and time, endeavoring that 
they may be prepared for the enjoyment of Christ in all 
his ordinances ; and finally be much in prayer for their 
conversion and salvation ; and we further engage to 
watch over all the children of the covenant growing up 
with us, that they be obedient to the rule and govern- 
ment of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We promise that we will, by the help of God, avoid 
all the superstitions and inventions of men in the wor- 
ship of God, as derogating from the sovereignty and 
wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the supreme Head of 
the Church ; that we will not slanderously absent our- 
selves from any part of the instituted worship, but do 
what in us lies to prepare ourselves for, to uphold and 
improve all the ordinances of Christ, to the spiritual 
benefit and advantage of our souls, leaning upon that 
promise, that God will meet those that rejoice, work 
righteousness and remember Him in his ways. 

We promise, by the help of God, that we will, with 
as much frequency as may be, read or cause the word of 
God to be read in our families, that so the word of God 
may dwell richly in us, seasonably and constantly up- 
holding the worship of God there and attending the 
same with sincerity and affection. 

And whereas we have given ourselves unto the Lord 
and unto one another in the Lord, we propose and prom- 



224 APPENDIX, 

ise that we will live together in this holy fellowship, in 
all holy watchfulness over each other to the prevention 
of, or recovery from any scandalous evils, that through 
the temptations of satan or the corruptions of our own 
nature, we may at any time be overtaken with, that we 
will be as speedy as may be in making up any difference 
that may arise, in some orderly way, endeavoring also 
the spiritual and temporal good one of another. 

We promise, that by the help of God, we will have 
respect to all the duties of the second table, as being 
necessary parts of a right ordered conversation, and par- 
ticularly, be true and faithful to all our civil contracts 
and agreements with one another and all men that wo 
have to deal with, so that none may have occasion to 
speak evil of our profession. 

And finally, whereas there is a strong propensity in 
our nature to what is evil and sinful, we purpose and 
promise that, by the help of God's Spirit, we will keep 
our hearts and mortify those lusts that dwell in us, avoid- 
ing all such temptations as our sinful hearts are wont to 
be drawn aside withal ; and that we may keep this cov- 
enant inviolable for ever in all the branches of it, we 
desire to deny ourselves, not trusting in our own wis- 
dom or strength, humbly and believingly depending upon 
God in and through Jesus Christ, and the presence of 
his Holy Spirit with us, and where we come short, there 
to wait upon Him for pardon and healing for his name- 
sake. 



APPENDIX. 225 



NOTE E. 



Oct. 17, 1781, the town voted as encouragement to 
Rev. David Jewett to settle with us to give him the grant 
of a two hundred and sixty acre lot, and sixty pounds 
lawful money the first year, and the said salary to in- 
crease yearly as our interest increases, until it arrive to 
eighty pounds, the same to be estimated at Rye at 5s 
per bushel, Indian corn at 4s, and beef at 3d per pound, 
what money he shall receive towards his salary shall be 
in proportion to the aforesaid articles as herein stated. 
And to prevent all misunderstanding of this vote, it is 
the true intent and meaning of the same, that if said 
articles shall fall, the salary shall fall in proportion, but 
that his salary shall be paid in proportion to the above, 
Baid articles not exceeding the within price. The town 
voted to raise and pay Mr. Jewett £12 lawful money, 
probably for his services prior to his settlement. 

Rev. David Jewett' s answer to the call of the church 
and people of Winthrop to become their Pastor. 

" And now Gentlemen of the town of Winthrop re- 
specting your grant for the support of a public Teacher, 
you have done honorably and well ; and have even exceed- 
ed my most sanguine desire. I therefore most cheerfully 
donate and refund one-twentieth of my annual salary 
during my ministry among you, for the support of a 



226 APPENDIX. 

scliool, and to be distributed at the discretion of tbe Se- 
lectmen of the town ; only sball expect to be absent two 
Sabbaths in a year for the purpose of visiting my friends 
at a distance ; should I occasionally be absent longer 
than that term shall expect to refund it out of my year- 
ly salary, sickness only excepted. Wishing you the 
blessing of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and 
the consolations of the Holy Spirit, I am your affection- 
ate Friend and most humble servant. 

DAVID JEWETT. 

Dated at Winthrop, Nov. 16, 1781. 

Whether a school was supported by this donation of 
Mr. Jewett is not known. 



APPENDIX. 227 



NOTE F. 



An act to incorporate tlie north, part of tlie Town of 
Winthrop, in the County of Lincoln, with the inhabi- 
tants thereon, into a Town by the name of Readfield. 

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Kepresentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the 
authority of the same. That all the lands in the town of 
"Winthrop, lying north of the line hereafter described, 
viz : Beginning on the south line of lot number thirty- 
two in said Winthrop^ where the west line of Hallowell 
crosses said lot, from thence running Avest-north-west, 
on the range line to Chandler's pond ; then westerly 
across said pond to the south-east corner of lot number 
two hundred and twenty ; then westerly on the soutb 
line of said lot ; to squth-west corner of said lot ; then 
northerly to the north-east corner of lot number sixty- 
six ; from thence west-north-west on the north line of 
lots number sixty-six, ninety-three, and one hundred fifty- 
six, to the westerly line of said town, with all the in- 
habitants thereon living, be, and hereby are incorporated 
into a separate town, by the name of Readfield, with all 
the powers, privileges and immunities, that towns within 
this Commonwealth have, or do enjoy. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority 
aforesaid, That the inhabitants of the said town of Read- 



228 APPENDIX. 

field shall be subject to, and pay all rates and taxes here- 
tofore assessed upon them, while they belonged to the 
town of Winthrop, in the same manner as though this 
act had not been passed; and shall also be subject to 
pay their proportionable part of all debts due from said 
town of Winthrop, at the time of their separation, and 
also shall receive their proportionable part of all public 
lands, and of all other public property whatever, that 
did belong to said town of Winthrop, at the time of 
their separation. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted that the said town 
of Readfield shall take and support their proportionable 
part of all the poor, that did belong to said town of Win- 
throp, at the time of their separation, according to their 
last valuation ; and provided any person or persons 
have removed from said town of Winthrop, and shall be 
hereafter returned as the poor of said town ; then and 
in such case the said town of Readfield shall take and 
support as their poor all those who immediately before 
such removal were the inhabitants of that part of the 
town of Winthrop, which is now Readfield. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority 
aforesaid, that until the said town of Readfield shall 
have a sufficient number of inhabitants to entitle them 
to send a Representative, they shall assemble and meet 
with the town of Winthrop, and in town meeting alter- 
nately at Winthrop and Readfield shall join in choosing 
a Representative to serve in the General Court of this 
Commonwealth. 

Sec. 5. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid. 



APPENDIX. 229 

that Jonathan Whiting, Esq., be, and he hereby is au- 
thorized and empowered to issue his warrant to some 
principal inhabitant of the said town of Readfield requir- 
ing him to notify and warn said inhabitants to meet at 
some convenient time and place in said Readiield, to 
choose all such officers as other towns by law are re- 
quired to choose in the month of March or April annu- 
ally. 

This act passed March 11, 1791. 
11 



230 



APPENDIX. 



isroTE a. 



An Act to incorporate a number of the inhabitants of 
the town of Wintbrop into a religious society by the 
name of the First Congregational Society in Winthrop. 

Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the 
authority of the same, that — 
Samuel Wood, 



Joseph Metcalf, 
Nathaniel Fairbanks, 
Nathaniel Smith, 
Moses Frost, 
Nathaniel Morton, 
John Chandler, Jr., 
Micah Barrows, 
Reuben Brainard, 
Noah Morrill, 
Isaac Smith, 
Jonathan Whiting, 
Jonathan Whiting, Jun., 
James Prescott, 
Solomon Esty, 
John White, 
John Kezer, 
Henry Wood, 



Elijah Davenport, 
Amos Perley, 
Samuel Morrell, 
Jonathan Currier, 
John Turner, 
James Atkinson, 
Solomon Towle, 
David Chandler, 
John Streeter, 
Jonathan Thurston, 
Richard Gower, 
Zebediah Sweet, 
Peleg Benson, 
Henry Stanley, 
Josiah Bacon, 
Moses Joy, 
Peter Stanley, 
Solomon Stanley, 



APPENDIX. 



231 



Enoch Wood, 
Joseph Matthews, 
Barzillni Delano, 
Adin Stanley, 
Simon Page, 
Simon Page, Jun., 
Odlin Prescott, 
Elijah Wood, 
Sampson Davis, 
Jonathan Pullen, 
Peter Gale, 
John Cole, 
Josiah Cushman, 
Benjamin Read, 
Livy Morton, 
Ebenezer Morton, 
Charles Harris, 
Ebenezer Moore, 
Jenness Towle, 
Amos Stevens, 
Amos Stevens, Jun., 
Daniel Stevens, 
Unite Brown, 
William Brown, 
Jonas Stevens, 
William Stevens, 
Ebenezer Davenport, 



Thomas Ladd, 
Nathaniel Fellows, 
Jeremiah Brown, 
Andrew Wood, 
Nathaniel Marston, 
Jonathan Hilliard, 
John May, 
Silas Lambert, 
William Pullen, 
Mordecai Morton, 
Gideon Lambert, 
Moses AVood, 
Jesse Sweet, 
Nathan Richmond, 
Daniel Marrow, Jun., 
Jonathan Pullen, Jun., 
Josiah Tilton, 
Isaac Shaw, 
James Pullen, 
Elijah Prescott, 
Ebenezer Barrows, 
John Pullen, 
Liberty Stanley, 
Obed Leach, 
Abiel Smith, 
Squier Bishop, and 
Stephen Pullen, 



together with their polls and estates, be and they are 
hereby incorporated into a Society by the name of the 
First Congregational Society in Winthrop, with all the 



232 APPENDIX. 

privileges, powers and immunities, to whicli Parishes are, 
by law, entitled in this Commonwealtli. 

Sect. 2 — described the way of becoming members. 

Sect. 3 — authorized Samuel Wood, Esq. to issue his 
warrant to call the first meeting, &c. 

Passed January 31, 1800. 



APPENDIX. 233 



NOTE H. 



KEY. JONATHAN BELDEN. 

The Ecclesiastical Council who ordained Mr. Belden, 
were Rev. Messrs. Ezekiel Emerson, Georgetown ; Sam- 
uel Eaton, Harps well ; Eliphalet Gillet, Hallo well ; Jon- 
athan Ward, New Milford, (now Alna;) Jotham Sewall, 
Chesterville. Delegates, Benjamin Dunning, Mark Lang- 
don Hill, Henry Sewall, Jonathan B. Balch, James Rowe, 
Isaiah Wyman, Dummer Sewall, James Gow. Rev. J. 
Sewall led in the first prayer. Rev. E. Gillet preached, 
Rev. E. Emerson led in the ordaining prayer. Rev. S. 
Eaton gave the charge. Rev. J. Ward gave the right 
hand, Rev. S. Eaton led in the closing prayer. More 
than forty had been members of the church, but probably 
at this time, the number was less than twenty. Some 
forty-three were added during Mr. Belden's ministry, of 
five years. He was, after this, pastor of the church in 
Bristol for several years. 

After leaving Bristol, he was not pastor of any church. 
He was employed in several places, as a Missionary, 
and died some years ago. He was " a man who feared 
God above many." 

REV. DAVID THURSTON. 

The members of the Council who ordained David 
Thurston to the pastoral office, were, from the church in 



234 APPENDIX. 

Hallowell, Eliphalet Gillet, pastor, Henry Sewall and 
James Gow, Delegates ; from the cliurch in Byfield, Mass., 
Elijah Parish, pastor, Joseph Pike and Solomon Stick- 
ney. Delegates ; from the church in New Castle, Kiah 
Bayley, pastor ; from the church in Penobscot, Jonathan 
Powers, pastor ; from the 1st church in Bath, Asa Lyman, 
pastor, David Trufant and Henry Sewall, jr., Delegates ; 
from the church in Bucktown, (now Bucksport,) Mighill 
Blood, pastor; from the church in Sedgwick, David 
Thurston, sen., Delegate ; from the church in New Mil- 
ford, Joseph Richardson, Delegate. Rev. A. Lyman 
offered the introductory prayer, Rev. E. Parish preached 
from 2 Cor. 2:15, Rev. J. Powers offered the consecra- 
ting prayer, Rev. E. Gillet gave the charge. Rev. M. 
Blood gave the right hand, and Rev. K. Bayley offered 
the concluding prayer, 

EEV. R. M. SAWYER. 

The Ecclesiastical Council at the ordination of Rev. 
Rufus Morrell Sawyer, were, from the church in Augusta 
South, Bro. G. H. Jones ; Bridgton Center, Rev. J. T. 
Hawes ; Gardiner, Rev. W. L. Hyde ; Hallowell, Rev. 
J. P. Skeele, Bro. Paul Stickney ; Litchfield, Rev. T. 
Davis, Dea. Isaac Smith ; Otisfield, Rev. J. P. Richard- 
son, Bro. L. M. Sawyer ; Richmond, Rev. P. F. Barnard, 
Bro. G. C. Waterman; Searsport, Rev. S. Thurston, 
Dea. Benjamin Gould ; Waterville, Rev. R. B. Thurston, 
Bro. S. R. Dennen. Also, Rev. B. Tappan, D. D., and 
Rev. Prof. Shepard. The parts at this ordination, were 
performed as follows : Invocation by Rev. J. T. Hawes, 
reading the Scriptures by Rev. R. B. Thurston, introduc- 



APPENDIX. 235 

tory prayer by Rev. P. F. Barnard, sermon by Prof. 
Shepard from Acts 14:1, consecrating prayer by Rev. J. 
P. Richardson, charge to the pastor by the former pastor, 
right hand of fellowship by Rev. J. P. Skeele, the con- 
cluding prayer by Rev. S. Thurston. 



236 APPENDIX. 



nsroTE I. 



"An act to incorporate a number of the inhabitants 
of the town of Winthrop into a religions society by the 
name of the Methodist Society in the town of Win- 
throp. 

Section 1. — Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of 
"Representatives in General Court assefnhled, and hy the 
authority of the same, that 

Nathaniel Bishop, Alfred Chandler, 

Thomas Jacobs, Daniel Marrow, 

Benjamin Fairbanks, Timothy Foster, 

Rial Stanley, Enos Fairbanks, 

Asa Bobbins, David Fairbanks, 

Eleazar Bobbins, Benjamin Fairbanks, jr., 

Otis Foster, Jonas Allen, 

Daniel Foster, Elizabeth Lake, 

Nathan F. Cobb, 
together with such others as have already associated, or 
may hereafter associate with them and their successors, be, 
and hereby are incorporated into a separate religious socie- 
ty by the name of the Methodist Society in Winthrop,with 
all the powers and privileges and subject to the same 



APrENDix. 237 

duties with other religious societies, according to the 
Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth. 

Provided^ however, that all such persons shall be 
holden to pay their respective proportions of all moneys 
legally assessed for parochial purposes in the Parish or 
religious society, to which he or she formerly belonged. 
Sec. 2. — Be it enacted c^c, that any person belong- 
ing to another religious society in said town of Win- 
throp, who may desire to join with the said Methodist 
Society, shall declare such intention in wTiting, deliver- 
ed to the minister or clerk thereof, and also a copy of the 
same delivered to the town clerk, or to the clerk of such 
other society (as the case may require,) and if such per- 
son do produce such a certificate signed by the minister, 
deacon, or clerk of the said Methodist Society, that he 
or she has united with, and actually become a member 
thereof, such person shall, from the date of said certifi- 
cate, be considered, with his or her polls and estates, as 
a member of said Methodist Society. 

Sec. 3. — Be it enacted Sj-c.^ that when any member of 
said Methodist Society shall see cause to secede there- 
from and to unite in religious fellowship with any other 
religious society, shall give notice of such intention in 
writing to the minister or clerk of the said Methodist 
Society, and deliver a copy of the same to the clerk of 
the town or to the minister or clerk of such other soci- 
ety, (as the case may be,) fifteen days before the annual 
meeting, and shall produce a certificate of admission, 
signed by the minister or clerk thereof, such person with 
his or her polls and estate shall, from the date of such 
certificate, be considered as a member of the society, with 
which he or she has so united." 



238 



APPENDIX. 



Section 4 contains directions for calling a meeting and 
organizing the Society. 

'' This act passed, Feb. 27, 1811. 

Methodist Preachers who have officiated since the 
building of their Chapel. 
1826, Rev. Stephen Lovell. 1841, D. B. Randall. 



I 



1827, 

1828, J. B. Husted. 

1829, Moses Hill 

1830, " 

1831, E. Crooker. 

1832, G. Greely. 

1833, D. Fuller. 

1834, A.Caldwell. 

1835, " 

1836, C. P. Bragdon. 

1837, E. Hotchkiss. 
1838, A. P. Hillman. 

1839, Abel Alton. 

1840, J. Cleaveland. 



1842, E. Robinson. 
1843, 

1844, A. F. Barnard. 

1845, « 

1846, George Webber. 

1847, Charles W. Morse. 

1848, " 
1849, 'Moses Hill. 
1850, 

1851, Parker Jaquis. 
1852, 

1853, C. Munger. 

1854, " 

1855, J. H. Jennie. 



APPENDIX. 



2S9 



NOTE b:. 



Names of persons who were organized into the first 
Baptist Church in Winthrop. 



Enoch Wood, 
Benjamin Packard, 
Joseph Wingate, Jr,, 
Ebenezer Packard, 
- Francis Fuller, 
Luke Perkins, 
Benjamin Perkins, 
Joshua Smith, 
William Jamerson, 
John Wadsworth, Jr., 
Joseph Wood, 
William Hughs, 
Joseph Packard. 
Liberty Woodcock, 
Samuel Shaw, 



Ebenezer Blake, 
Isaac Wadsworth, 
David Eastman, 
Nancy Smith, 
Elizabeth Swift, 
Nancy Packard, 
Zeruiah Packard, 
Hannah Easty, 
Sarah T. White, 
Sarah B. Pullen, 
Zeruiah Matthews, 
Joanna Richards, 
Clarissa Richards, 
Amelia Whiting, 
Lucretia Richards. 



Males, 18; Females, 12; Total, 30. 
The same day "Brothers Joshua Smith, Enoch Wood, 
and Luke Perkins were chosen Deacons, and ordained by 
prayer and imposition of hands." 



EEV. J. II. INGKAHAM. 



At the ordination of Rev. J. H. Ingraham, Feb. 23d, 
1836, the services were as follows ; "Invocation by Bro. 



240 APPENDIX. 

Case. Heading the Scriptures by Bro. Robinson. Ser- 
mon by President Babcock. Consecrating prayer by Bro. 
Low. Charge to the Pastor by Bro. Drinkwater. Right 
hand of fellowship by Bro. S. F. Smith. Concluding 
prayer by Bro. Barrows. Benediction by the Pastor, 

REV. F. MERRIAM. 

The exercises at the ordination of Rev. F. Merriam 
were as follows : Invocation and reading the Scriptures 
by Bro. O. B. Walker. Introductory prayer by David 
Thurston. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Nott. Ordaining prayer 
by Rev. Mr. Grant. Charge by Rev. S. F. Smith. Right 
hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Williams. Charge to 
the churoh and people by Rev. Mr. Adlam, Concluding 
prayer by Rev. Mr. Piper. Benediction by the Pastor? 

KEY. MR. POWERS. 

The exercises at the ordination of Mr. Powers were as 
follows ; Reading of Scrij)tures by Rev. Mr. Merriam. 
Introductory prayer by Father Case. Sermon by Rev. 
D. N. Sheldon, D. D. Ordaining prayer by Rev. A. 
Drinkwater. Right hand of fellowship by Rev. S. W. 
Field. Charge to Pastor by Rev. A. Kallock. Address 
to the church by Rev. William Tilley. Concluding 
prayer by David Thurston. Benediction by the Pastor. 



APPENDIX. 241 



NOTE L. 



Names of the members of the Universalist church. 

Rev. Giles Baily and wife, 

Rev. Comfort C. Smith and wife, 

Nathan Howard and wife, 

James Bowdoin Fillehrown and wife, 

Mrs. Nancy Richmond, 

Shepherd Bean, 

Mrs. Oliver Bean, 

Noah Currier, 

John Elliot Snell and wife, 

Benjamin Perkins Briggs and wife, 

Mrs. Lewis Wood, 

Mrs. Lewis Cobb, 

Mrs. Sophronia Chandler, 

Lucy Chandler, 

Azel Perkins and wife, 

Francis Perley, 

Nathan Fisher Cobb and wife, 

Benjamin Bobbins and wife, 



242 APPENDIX, 

Jerusha Robbins, 

Rev. Benjamin Franklin Robbins and wife, 

Hiram Pitts, 

George G. Fairbanks, 

Mrs. Polly Stanley. 

Of late they have not had the ordinance of the Lord's 
supper administered to them. 



APPENDIX. 243 



N^OTE m:. 



CONSTITUTION. 

Aeticle. 1 . This society shall be styled the Winthrop 
Society for the Promotion of Good Morals. 

Art. 2. The objeet of this society shall be to promote 
good morals and discountenance vice universally, partic- 
ularly to discourage profaneness, idleness, gross breaches 
of the Sabbath, and intemperance. 

Art. 3. If any member of this society shall be guilty 
of those immoralities, which it is the intention of this 
society to reform, he shall be reproved by the society, and 
puon a second conviction of similar conduct, his name 
shall be erased from the constitution, as unworthy a 
standing in the society. 

Art. 4. Any person who shall subscribe this consti- 
tution and pay annually for the purchase of suitable tracts 
for the accomplishment of the above object, shall be a 
member of the society. 

Art. 5. The stated meetings of the society shall be on 
the last Mondays of March and September annually, at 
the Meeting-house, at two o'clock P. M. Seven mem- 
bers shall constitute a quorum, with power of adjournment 
to any time not specified above. 

Art. 6, At the meeting on the last Monday in March 



244 APPENDIX. 

or September, there shall be elected, in such manner as 
may be agreed, a President whose duty it shall be to pre- 
side in all meetings of the society, a Corresponding Sec- 
retary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Com- 
mittee of five persons to receive and communicate infor- 
mation, to arrange the business of the society at their sev- 
eral meetings, and to report from time to time the result 
of such measures as shall have been taken. 

Akt. 7. The Committee, when notified by their chair- 
man, shall meet at such time and place as he may appoint, 
to consult on the general objects of the society, and to 
carry into execution any of its regulations. 

Art. 8. Each member shall consider himself bound to 
endeavor by counsel, persuasion and warning, and by oth- 
er kind and prudent methods, to reclaim the vicious. He 
shall likewise prudently endeavor, by his own example 
and advice, to discourage the improper use of ardent spir- 
its within the sphere of his influence, and duly to restrain 
his children and those under his care on the Lord's day. 

Art. 9. This Constitution may be altered at either of 
the stated meetings by the concurrence of two- thirds of 
the members present. 

Art. 10. Every meeting of this society shall be opened 
and closed by prayer. 

The Society were conscious of their insufficiency to ef- 
fect the reformation they desired. Their dependence was 
on God. They therefore sought Him, at the opening o^ 
their meetings, that he would guide them to adopt the 



APPENDIX. 245 

right means ; and, at their close, that he would give suc- 
cess to the means they employed. 

POSTING TIPPLERS &C. 

An act for the regulation of licensed houses, passed 
Feb. 28, 1789. 

Section 16. Be it further enacted by the authority 
aforesaid, that the Selectmen in each town shall cause to 
be posted up in the houses and shops of all taverners, 
innholders, and retailers, as aforesaid, in such towns or 
districts, a list of the names of all persons reputed com- 
mon drunkards, or common tipplers, or common game- 
sters, misspending their time and estate in such houses. 
Every keeper of such house or shop, after notice given 
him as aforesaid, that shall be convicted' before one or 
more Justices of the peace, of entertaining or suffering 
any of the persons in such list, to drink, or tipple, or 
game in his or her house, or any of the dependencies 
thereof, or of selling them spirituous liquors as aforesaid 
shall forfeit and pay the sum of thirty shillings. 



246 APPENDIX. 



N"OTE N. 



A copy of the Constitution of the Society for Mutual 
Improvement. 

Art. 1. This society shall be called The Society 
FOR Mutual Improvement. 

Art. 2. Every member of this society pledges herself 
to consider the import of those commands given to 
christians to come out from the world and be separate, 
and spend a part of every Saturday evening as a season 
of meditation upon the various duties that belong to the 
wife of a minister, and also to ask the blessing of God 
upon the efforts of this society. 

Art. 3. As women professing godliness, the members 
of this Society engage to guard against the " Lust of the 
eye and the pride of life," and to retrench in articles of 
dress, furniture, and table luxuries, so as to come nearer 
to the requisitions of the gospel, and to use their influ- 
ence in accordance with these principles. 

Art. 4. It shall likewise be the duty of every mem- 
ber of this Society to make efforts for the establishment 
of Maternal Associations, and to connect with these as- 
sociations endeavors for the best good of domestics and 
dependents as well as children — to encourage female 
prayer meetings, to interest herself in Sabbath School 



APPENDIX. 247 

instruction, and in all the various benevolent societies 
tliat call for the aid of the churches, and make an annu- 
al report of her labors to the secretary. 

Art, 5. The officers of this society shall be a first and 
second Directress, a Secretary and Treasurer. The lady 
who holds the two last-mentioned offices, with the first 
and second Directress, shall constitute a Board of Man- 
agers. 

Akt. 6. Any clergyman's wife may become a member 
of this Society by subscribing to these articles. 



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